 | |
| Module statistics | |
|---|---|
| Part of | International Space Station |
| Launch date | October 23, 2007, 15:38:19 UTC[1] |
| Launch vehicle | Space Shuttle Discovery |
| Berthed | |
| Mass | 14,300 kg (31,500 lb) |
| Length | 7.2 m (24 ft) |
| Diameter | 4.4 m (14 ft) |
| Pressurizedvolume | 70 m3 (2,500 cu ft) |
| References:[2] | |
| Configuration | |
 Graphic showing the six CBMs onHarmony | |
Harmony, also known asNode 2, is a module of theInternational Space Station (ISS) that serves as its "utility hub". It connects the laboratory modules of theUnited States,Europe andJapan, while also providing electrical power and data. The module also has sleeping cabins for four astronauts.[3]
Harmony has sixCommon Berthing Mechanism (CBM) ports. It is attached toDestiny at its aft port, withColumbus to starboard andKibō to port. Its forward and zenith ports are each equipped with aPressurized Mating Adapter (PMA) andInternational Docking Adapter (IDA) for docking visiting spacecraft. The nadir CBM, the only one without permanently mounted equipment, is typically used for berthing cargo spacecraft.
Harmony was launched aboardSTS-120 on October 23, 2007.[4][5] It was first attached temporarily to the port side of theUnity module[6][7] before being moved to its permanent location on the forward end of Destiny on November 14, 2007.[8] The module added 70 m3 (2,500 cu ft) of habitable volume to the station, increasing its living space by nearly 20%, from 420 to 490 m3 (15,000 to 17,000 cu ft).
The unit formerly known asNode 2 was renamedHarmony in March 2004.[9] The name was chosen in a competition where more than 2,200 students from 32 states participated.[10][11] TheNode 2 Challenge required students to learn about the space station, build a scale model, and write an essay explaining their proposed name for the module, which will serve as a central hub for science labs. The six winning classes were: Paul Cummins' 8th grade class at Browne Academy, Alexandria, Va.; Mrs.Sue Wilson's 3rd grade class at Buchanan Elementary School, Baton Rouge, La.; Brigette Berry's 8th grade class at League City Intermediate School, League City, Texas; Bradley Neu's 9th grade science class at Lubbock High School, Lubbock, Texas; Russell Yocum 's 3rd grade class at West Navarre Intermediate School, Navarre, Fla.; and, David Dexheimer's students at the World Group Home School, Monona, Wisconsin.[12]
Harmony is the second of three node modules on theUnited States Orbital Segment (USOS).[13] It is composed of a cylindrical, 5.1 cm (2.0 in) thick2219-T851 aluminium alloypressure shell with two endcones and is thermally insulated by agoldisedKaptonblanket. It is protected frommicrometeoroids by 98 panels, each made from a composite sandwich ofstainless steel and6061-T6 aluminium alloy, and a secondary barrier ofKevlar/resin.[14][15] The design is based on the existingMulti-Purpose Logistics Module, as well as theEuropean Space Agency'sColumbus module (both of which have only one passiveCommon Berthing Mechanism [CBM]).[13] There are six CBMs onHarmony: the aft CBM that connects it toDestiny is passive; the rest are active.[16]
Harmony is managed by NASA'sMarshall Space Flight Center inHuntsville, Alabama. Its deployment expanded the Space Station, allowing it to grow from the size of a three-bedroom house, to the space equivalent of a typical five-bedroom house, once the JapaneseKibō and EuropeanColumbus laboratories are attached. The Space Station robotic arm,Canadarm2, is able to operate from a poweredgrapple fixture on the exterior ofHarmony.[17]Harmony is equipped with eightInternational Standard Payload Racks: four avionics racks and four for stowage or crew quarters.[15] The first two were delivered onSTS-126 and the second two onSTS-128.[18][19] After the cancellation of theHabitation Module,Harmony was chosen to house the American Crew Quarters.[20][21]
Harmony was built within the ESA–NASA ISS bartering system. Under this arrangement, the European Space Agency (ESA) agreed to provide NASA with the fully integratedHarmony andTranquility node modules, along with additional equipment and parts, in exchange for the launch of ESA'sColumbus module and its initial payload aboard the Space Shuttle. This barter allowed ESA to secure launch services without a direct financial transaction, and enabling those funds to remain within ESA member states.[22][23]
To build the nodes, ESA partnered with theItalian Space Agency (ASI) andThales Alenia Space, which manufactured them at its facility inTurin, Italy.[17]
Harmony arrived atKennedy Space Center inFlorida on June 1, 2003, after being transported aboard anAirbus Beluga oversize cargo aircraft. Following a post-transportation inspection, the ASI formally handed overHarmony to the ESA. ESA then transferred ownership to NASA on June 18, 2003, during a ceremony at theSpace Station Processing Facility at Kennedy Space Center.[24]
Harmony was launched on October 23, 2007, aboardSpace Shuttle Discovery during missionSTS-120, as the primary component of assembly mission ISS-10A.[25][26][27]Discovery docked atPressurized Mating Adapter-2 (PMA-2) on the forward port of theDestiny laboratory module on October 25. The next day, the station'sCanadarm2 removedHarmony fromDiscovery's cargo bay and temporarily attached it to the port side of theUnity node. On October 27, the crew enteredHarmony for the first time.[28][29]
After the shuttle's departure, theExpedition 16 crew used the Canadarm2 to relocate PMA-2 fromDestiny's forward port toHarmony's forward port on November 12. Two days later, on November 14,Harmony, with PMA-2 attached, was berthed at its final position on the forward port ofDestiny.[8] This process spanned several days and required three spacewalks.[29][30]
AfterHarmony's final installation, all subsequent Space Shuttle missions docked at PMA-2 on its forward port. Since the Shuttle's retirement, this port has remained the primary docking location for visiting Dragon and Starliner spacecraft.
On February 11, 2008, ESA'sColumbus laboratory module was attached toHarmony's starboard port during theSTS-122 mission flown bySpace Shuttle Atlantis.
On March 14, 2008, the Experiment Logistics Module Pressurized Section (ELM-PS), part of the futureKibō laboratory module, was temporarily attached toHarmony'szenith (space-facing) port during missionSTS-123 aboardSpace Shuttle Endeavour.
On June 3, 2008, theKibō laboratory module was installed onHarmony's port side during missionSTS-124 aboardDiscovery. Three days later, on June 6, the ELM-PS was relocated fromHarmony's zenith port to its permanent position onKibō's zenith port.
When the Shuttle deliveredMulti-Purpose Logistics Modules, they were temporarily berthed toHarmony's nadir (Earth-facing) port.[31] The same port has also been used for cargo spacecraft including the JapaneseHTV and American Dragon and Cygnus.
Harmony's zenith port was originally intended for theCentrifuge Accommodations Module, which was later canceled. On January 25, 2010, PMA-3 was moved fromUnity's port berthing mechanism toHarmony's zenith mechanism for temporary storage during the installation of theTranquility node module on missionSTS-130. On February 16, 2010, PMA-3 was relocated toTranquility's port side.[32] It was ultimately returned toHarmony's zenith port on March 26, 2017, where it now serves as a secondary docking port for visiting Dragon and Starliner spacecraft.[33]
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in thepublic domain.So this is Node 2 ... this is where four out of six of us sleep.
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