NASA Astronauts To Open New Space Station Windows 79
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."
Already opened? (Score:5, Informative)
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Catch up slashdot. According to this article they are already open. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/8518744.stm [bbc.co.uk]
Disregard this parent needs to learn to read.
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No. You were correct. Soichi tweeted at about 7am this morning with a picture of all windows open - http://twitpic.com/13qfse [twitpic.com]
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Is it just me, or doesn't that look like the interior of a Tie-Fighter?
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The second commenter on that picture says:
STAR WARS
(I full well expect Slashcode to completely mess up the Japanese.)
I'm still learning my Japanese but from what I gather the guy is saying that it looks like the cockpit of a TIE fighter, which it does.
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"Already" as in "yesterday" (Score:1)
Floating in space (Score:1)
We need a space station on the moon.
Re:Floating in space (Score:4, Funny)
That's no moon...
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already done (Score:4, Informative)
I realized I hadn't seen any photos of the new bay so I hit Google News for a search. I know the likes of AOL and USA Today are derided for their superficial news coverage, but the first story had what I wanted: a photo of the new bay.
AOL News on Tranquility Bay Window [aolnews.com]
As it turns out, the image was taken AFTER the windows were already opened. First thought: stale stories on Slashdot, no surprise there. Second thought: where is the Emperor's chair? I know George Lucas is having fun with the design on that new bay window.
Here's a better picture (from the source) (Score:5, Informative)
Here [nasa.gov] is the NASA full size photo. It's today's NASA Image of the Day. [nasa.gov]
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Might want to rethink this. (Score:5, Funny)
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Well, sometimes you need to let a little breeze in... I mean, out.
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Base: What is the temperature inside the module?
ISS: About 290.4 degrees Kelvin.
Base: And what is the temperature outside?
ISS: About 2.7 degrees Kelvin.
Base: OK, then open the windows, and let the other 2.7 degrees in, too.
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Fact: Whenever anyone mentions "facts", you know he tries to shove his dogmas down your throat.
There, fixed that for you.
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Talk about the ultimate makeout spot! (Score:5, Funny)
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At this point, I'll be more than happy to take your wife up there.
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Now if I could just get an attractive female to accompany to the ISS and into the cupola (without my wife finding out!)
Your wife isn't an attractive female? Dude, I fear your marriage won't last long. Not because she's ugly but because you're a philanderer. Nothing ruins a marriage like adultery.
I suggest you start shopping for an attorney right now, because if she sees that comment you're going to lose your house, car, kids, dog, and about everything else.
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Well, mine is attractive me. I don't particularly care what other people think.
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I think he was trying for the funny.
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Oh, that's about as funny as a screen door on a battleship.
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It's "screen door on a submarine," you dork.
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Now, make like a tree... and get out of here!
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Why don't you make like a tree and get out of here.
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Personally I would rather get my wife and another attractive female there with me. More fun for everyone.
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Looks more like the front of a Tie Fighter
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It also reminds me a bit of the "celestial chamber" from the (original) Battlestar Galactica finale. [hulu.com]
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Defying Gravity was just a horribly performed rip-off of one great docufiction - BBC Space Odyssey: Voyage to the Planets.
If you want to watch it, do not get the wimpy (and with a very ironic , in the proper sense of the word, name change) US release.
And I thought... (Score:1)
Why? (Score:1)
Why do we need complete pressurized module there? I understand that cupola is not the most expensive section of ISS, but wouldn't it make financial sense just to mount bunch of hi def cameras for this? Hell, you can go RealD 3D for this price tag.
Not anymore (Score:2)
Once they open the windows, the module will not be pressurized.
Re:Why? (Score:4, Interesting)
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Actually I think cameras would be much cheaper than these windows, but nowhere as cool. Despite my sig there is an element of "No Buck Rogers, no bucks" in this.
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Cameras would be no-where near as effective on the moralle of the crew. A nice viewing platform like this where you can use your peripheral vision could really reduce some of the claustrophobic feelings on the ISS.
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Certainly.
Horrible Idea! (Score:1)
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I suppose a round of gold is completely out of the question too.
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s/gold/golf/
Space Station Tanning room perhaps? (Score:2)
Are those windows tinted to help keep out those pesky UV rays? Or are the astronauts trying to catch up on their Space Station tans.
That confirms it. (Score:2)
Not a good idea... (Score:5, Funny)
I think installing Windows in space is a very bad idea. I know things have improved, but even today, the main cause of all crashes that I observe has been Windows, and you do not want a space station to crash.
Wait, what?
You laugh now, but COUNT the Windows there... (Score:2)
Opening the windows... (Score:5, Funny)
... on a space station.
Brilliant idea. :P
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Yeah ... what's next, the space patio?
(At least the space patio heaters won't contribute to global warming).
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Will it result in a blue... face? ;)
Would this be an appropriate place for a..... (Score:2)
Breaking News: New moon spotted in Earth orbit. (Score:1)
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Top? (Score:2)
What is this "top" you're talking about? Would that be the side that isn't the enemy's gate?
"open" seems a bad word (Score:2)
I assume they mean "uncover", not "open".
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Yeah, just mentally replace it with either 'open the shutters' or 'uncover the windows'.
Let the sun shine... (Score:2)
let the sun shine...
the sun shine in [youtube.com].
This Old Space Station (Score:2)
No joke here, I just like saying "This Old Space Station"
this actually seems to mean "open the shutters" (Score:3, Insightful)
If I open the shutters, I can now see through the windows. If I open the windows, it lets air circulate in and out (and boy will it!). This appears to be opening the shutters to expose the windows, correct?
Suspicious resemblance (!)... (Score:1)
Polish Space Agency (Score:2)
The ISS is truly an international endeavour. Witness a fine contribution from the Polish Space Agency!
Video from inside (!) (Score:1)
Please tag this story (Score:2)
Opening windows in space: tag this what-could-possibly-go-wrong !