The Cupola module built for the United States segment of the International Space Station resides in the Space Station Processing Facility.

The Cupola, another module built in Italy for the United States segment of the International Space Station, resides in the Space Station Processing Facility. With 360-degree windows, it will serve as a literal skylight to control some of the most sophisticated robotics ever built. The space station crew will use Cupola windows, six around the sides and one on the top, for line-of-sight monitoring of outside activities, including spacewalks, docking operations and exterior equipment surveys. The Cupola will be used specifically to monitor the approach and berthing of the Japanese H-2 supply spacecraft and other visiting vehicles. The Cupola also will serve as the primary location for controlling Canadarm2, the 60-foot space station robotic arm. Space station crews currently use two robotic control workstations in the Destiny laboratory to operate the arm. One of the robotic control stations will be placed inside the Cupola. The view from the Cupola will enhance an arm operator's situational awareness, supplementing television cameras and graphics. The Cupola is scheduled to launch on a future space station assembly mission. It will be installed on the forward port of Node 3, a connecting module to be installed as well. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett