Space Station Doubled in Size 19 Years Ago
The Harmony module, delivered by the shuttle Discovery in 2007, connected European and Japanese labs to the International Space Station.
By Maya Almasi ·
The International Space Station has operated with its current main hub structure for nearly two decades. On October 23, 2007, the space shuttle Discovery launched with the Harmony module attached, a delivery that fundamentally altered the station's layout and capacity.
Harmony measures 14 feet wide and 24 feet long, comparable in length to a minibus. Built by Italy-based Thales Alenia Space for NASA, the module was originally designated Node 2. It serves as a utility hub that links the European Space Agency's Columbus laboratory and Japan's Kibo laboratory to the rest of the complex.
Prior to this addition, the station's most recent major expansion occurred in 2001 with the installation of Russia's Pirs docking module. The arrival of Harmony in 2007 marked a new phase of growth. With the module installed, the station's total volume increased from the size of a three-bedroom house to that of a five-bedroom house.
The installation process required precise coordination by the crew. Astronauts initially attached Harmony temporarily to the Unity node. After the shuttle departed, the crew used the station's robotic arm to move the shuttle docking port from the Destiny module. This maneuver cleared the forward port of the Destiny laboratory, allowing Harmony to be berthed at its permanent location.
From this position, Harmony acts as a central connector. It hosts the Columbus laboratory on its starboard side and the Kibo laboratory on its port side. The module also includes a roof port for visiting cargo vehicles. Inside, Harmony contains eight payload racks. Four are dedicated to avionics, while the remaining four provide stowage or serve as sleeping quarters for NASA astronauts.
The module features five common berthing mechanisms that allow other structures to connect to the station. The name Harmony was selected through a public naming contest organized by NASA. This 19-year-old delivery established the physical framework that continues to support international research and collaboration in orbit today.
Source: Space.com
