Space Station Cupola Definition

CUPOLA: /'KYUP∂L∂ 1. a: a rounded vault raised on a circular or other base and forming a roof or a ceiling- compare dome: b: a small structure built on top of a roof to provide interior lighting, to serve as a lookout…

During the past 24 months, the concept of a space station cupola evolved from a small, bubble-type viewport into the primary location for proximity operations requiring direct, unobstructed viewing. Derived from a viewing analysis conducted by the Man-Systems Division at the Johnson Space Center, the cupola represents a solution for out-of-plane viewing which can not be provided by windows placed in the shell of the habitation and/or laboratory modules. An extended Man-Systems design study resulted in several cupola configurations, each illustrating an alternate solution to the required balance between viewing, projected space station operations and human/machine interface issues. As space station viewing and operations requirements continue to mature, the cupola development process will achieve greater definition towards a final product responding to the functional aspects of a thirty-year space station.