This Thursday (Friday JST) the next installation will occur for the ISS. The crew of Atlantis will bring the European Columbus module and hook it up to the recently connected Harmony module. This marks Mission STS-122 and is an exciting one as it provides a wonderful colloboration opportunity between the ESA and NASA as well as increasing the space aboard the ISS. In terms of science, this module will allow the ESA to utilize their own space (no pun intended) for performing space experiments, to put it simply. Also, it extends the quarters a bit so people won't feel so cramped.
Right now, there's a very aggressive installation schedule for NASA and the ISS as the deadline for the shuttle's 2010 decomission is impending. But at the same it's kinda cool seeing this aggressive schedule as you can see remarkable progress on the ISS with massive growth, especially now with the other international sections coming together finally. After the ESA's Columbus module is installed, Japan's Kibo module is next in line.
Whichever way, I wish the best of luck to the Shuttle and ISS crew and for a safe, successful journey to make the world proud of the progress of humanity in space.
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