NASA Astronauts To Open New Space Station Windows

coondoggie writes "After some fancy robotic crane work over the past couple days, NASA Endeavour astronauts are preparing for tonight's final spacewalk where they will open the windows on the space station's sweet new dome-shaped observatory. The cupola observatory module is considered the ultimate observation deck. It is attached to an Earth-facing side of the International Space Station and has seven windows — six around the sides and one on top — that can be shuttered when not in use to protect them from micrometeoroids and the harsh space environment."

Re:Why?

[Locke2005]

Cameras mounted outside would be subject to damage from micrometeorites and temperature variations, and would be difficult to maintain. Cameras mounted inside in an unpressurized environment would also be difficult to maintain; how well do precision optics and CCDs react to sudden 1 atm changes in pressure? The cost of materials for the cupola is trivial compared to the cost of transporting it into space and attaching it, so not having one would be a false economy.