Cupola: The Space Window That Opens To Earth

Overview of the Cupola

The Cupola is an unusual window on the International Space Station (ISS). It enables astronauts to view Earth from roughly 400 kilometers in space. The term "Cupola" originates from Italian and is defined as "dome." In contrast to a window in your house, it provides a broad panorama of space and the world.

Construction and Features

The ISS was constructed in pieces beginning in the 1990s. In 2010, astronauts installed a module called Tranquility with the assistance of the Space Shuttle Discovery. Along with that, they installed the Cupola—a glass room with seven windows. The Cupola is 2.95 meters in width and 1.5 meters in height. It has a weight of 1,880 kilograms. In the middle is a big circular window, 80 centimeters across. Six smaller windows are placed around it, in the shape of flower petals. Since February this year, the Cupola has been operational on the ISS for 15 years.

How the Cupola Was Developed

In the first place, NASA and Boeing were going to construct the Cupola. However, because of budget reductions, NASA abandoned the project. Afterwards, the European Space Agency (ESA) acquired the project in 1998 through a barter deal. ESA contracted the project with an Italian organization called Elenia Spazio. They took care of the design, development, and integration of the Cupola.

Safety and Use

The Cupola is shielded with protective shutters. The protection is done with shields to keep away scratches or damage from space debris and micrometeorites. The shutters are only opened by the astronauts when necessary using a special knob. Astronauts can directly view outside the ISS from inside. They also observe the station's robotic arms from this location.

Experience for Astronauts

Astronauts like to spend free time in the Cupola. It allows them to relax and gaze at Earth and the universe. Project manager Doriana Buff of Elenia Spazio once stated, "The Cupola is like an umbilical cord that connects astronauts to Earth."

Recent Events

Indian astronaut Subhanshu Shukla conducted multiple experiments in the Cupola on Saturday. The pictures taken during that session went viral very soon.