iss_uscomp
Unity
Unity Node is a connecting passageway to living and work areas of the International Space Station (ISS). It is the first major U.S.-built component of the station, joining Zarya (FGB). Unity Node was delivered by the space shuttle with Pressurized Mating Adapter 1 pre-fitted to its aft port. The shuttle crew conducted three spacewalks to attach PMA 1 to Zarya.
In addition to its connection to Zarya, the node will serve as a passageway to the U.S. laboratory module, U.S. habitation module and an airlock. It has six hatches that serve as docking ports for the other modules.
Spacehab Double Cargo Module
The purpose of the Double Spacehab flight 2-A.1 is to provide a logistics flight for the early assembly missions. Flight 2-A.1 will carry equipment to further outfit the service module and equipment that can be off-loaded from the early U.S. assembly flights
Truss
The truss is the backbone of the ISS. When it is completed, it will be the length of a football field, with its axis perpendicular to the station's main axis. Labs, living quarters, payloads and systems equipment will be directly or indirectly connected to it. Also attached will be U.S. solar arrays supplying enough power to light a town. Truss segments will be launched and added to the ISS complex throughout its development.
Destiny Laboratory Module
The laboratory module is the centerpiece of the International Space Station, where unprecedented science experiments will be performed in the near-zero gravity of space.
The aluminum module is 28 feet long and 14 feet in diameter. The lab consists of three cylindrical sections and two end-cones with hatches that will be mated to other station components. A 20-inch diameter window is located on one side of the center module segment. This pressurized module is designed to accommodate pressurized payloads. It has a capacity of 24 rack locations. Payload racks will occupy 13 locations especially designed to support experiments.
Destiny is scheduled to be launched in June 2000 on mission STS-102 (Space Shuttle Discovery).
Joint Airlock
The U.S. Joint Airlock will be a spacewalker's gateway to the infinite void and back. Until it is installed, U.S. astronauts will have to use the space shuttle when they leave or enter the ISS, since American space suits can't be used in Russian airlocks. Before spacewalkers open its hatch to the vacuum of space, the crew lock is depressurized. The atmosphere inside their spacesuits will be pure oxygen. It is scheduled to be launched in August 2000 on mission STS-104 (Space Shuttle Atlantis).
Propulsion Module
This module provides additional capability for station refueling, attitude control and re-boost independent of the comparable Russian segment. It is scheduled to be launched in August 2001 on mission STS-121 (Space Shuttle Atlantis).
Cupola
With eight windows, the cupola provides station crew with direct viewing capability for some robotics operations, spacewalks and experiments. It is to be launched in August 2003 on mission STS-130 (Space Shuttle Discovery).
Solar Arrays
The most powerful solar arrays ever to orbit Earth will capture the sun's elusive energy and begin the process of converting it into power for the ISS. Each 108.6-foot solar array wing will be connected to the truss and extend outward at right angles to it. Altogether they will cover an area of 27,000 square feet. The solar arrays will be delivered in four sets throughout ISS development.
Nodes
Nodes are essentially connectors for space station pieces. Unity will have three pressurized nodes -- and additional nodes will be launched as well. They are scheduled to be launched in July 2002 and January 2004.
U.S. Crew Return Vehicle
During the first years of the International Space Station's life in orbit, a Russian Soyuz capsule will always be attached to provide crew members with the means to evacuate the station quickly. But work is well underway on development of the new emergency crew return vehicle (CRV). The X-38, which will serve as a lifeboat for the International Space Station, is scheduled to be launched in May 2004 during mission STS-136 (Space Shuttle Atlantis).
U.S. Habitation Module
Scheduled to be launched in 2004, the U.S. Habitation Module will enhance crew accommodations and provide for a station crew of up to seven members.
[source: NASA]
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