Tranquility (ISS module)

{{Short description|American module of the International Space Station}} {{italic title}} {{Use American English|date=January 2021}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2025}} {{Infobox space station module | spelling = us | module = ''Tranquility'' | module_image = Node 3 - Isolated view.jpg | module_image_caption = ''Tranquility'' in 2011 | station = International Space Station | launch = February 8, 2010, 09:14:08{{nbsp}}UTC | launch_vehicle = {{OV|105}} | berthed = February 12, 2010 (''Unity'' port) | mass = {{cvt|19000|kg}} | length = {{cvt|6.706|m}} | width = | height = | diameter = {{cvt|4.48|m}} | volume = | stats_ref = | configuration_image = | configuration_caption = }}

'''''Tranquility''''', also known as '''Node 3''',<ref name="esa">{{Cite web |title=ESA - Node 3: Connecting module |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/International_Space_Station/Node_3_Connecting_Module |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226174423/https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/International_Space_Station/Node_3_Connecting_Module |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |access-date=July 2, 2015 |publisher=ESA }}</ref> is a module of the International Space Station (ISS). It contains environmental control systems, life support systems, a toilet, exercise equipment, and an observation cupola.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) had ''Tranquility'' manufactured by Thales Alenia Space. A ceremony on November 20, 2009, transferred ownership of the module to NASA.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/tranquility_transfer.html|title=NASA Receives Tranquility|publisher=NASA|date=October 23, 2010|access-date=August 12, 2013|archive-date=August 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811174634/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/tranquility_transfer.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> On February 8, 2010, NASA launched the module on the Space Shuttle's STS-130 mission.

== Design and manufacturing == thumb|Interior of ''Tranquility'' thumb|The ''Tranquility'' node during initial manufacturing

''Tranquility'' was built within the ESA–NASA ISS bartering system. Under this arrangement, ESA agreed to provide NASA with the fully integrated ''Harmony'' and ''Tranquility'' node modules, along with additional equipment and parts, in exchange for the launch of ESA’s ''Columbus'' 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ESA's International Space Station barter agreements |url=https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/International_Space_Station/ESA_s_International_Space_Station_barter_agreements |access-date=2025-10-17 |website=www.esa.int |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Cline |first=L. |last2=Finarelli |first2=P. |last3=Gibbs |first3=G. |last4=Pryke |first4=I. |date=2002 |editor-last=Rycroft |editor-first=M. |title=Structuring Future International Cooperation: Learning from the ISS |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-94-015-9880-4_6 |journal=Beyond the International Space Station: The Future of Human Spaceflight |language=en |location=Dordrecht |publisher=Springer |pages= |doi=10.1007/978-94-015-9880-4_6 |isbn=978-94-015-9880-4 |archive-url=|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

To build the nodes, ESA partnered with the Italian Space Agency and Thales Alenia Space, which manufactured them at its facility in Turin, Italy. The module’s pressure shell is constructed from 2219 aluminum, while its debris shield is made from hardened 6061 aluminum. The metal is heat-treated, giving the shield ballistic resistance comparable to stainless steel.<ref>{{cite web |title=Node-3 |url=http://wsn.spaceflight.esa.int/docs/Factsheets/6%20Node%203%20HR%20web.pdf |access-date=June 9, 2020 |publisher=ESA}}</ref>

''Tranquility'' provides six berthing locations with power, data and commanding, thermal and environmental control, and crew access for more attached habitable volumes or for crew transportation vehicles or stowage, or an appropriate combination of all of these. One of the berthing locations is used by the ''Cupola'', which houses a Robotic Work Station inside it to assist in the assembly/maintenance of the ISS, and offers a window for Earth observations.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://geographic.org/streetview/international_space_station/view_special_1.php |title=ISS Cupola Street View |work=International Space Station Google Street View |accessdate=July 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250227145230/https://geographic.org/streetview/international_space_station/index.html |archive-date=February 27, 2025}}</ref> ''Tranquility'' was launched with the ''Cupola'' attached to its port-facing Common Berthing Mechanism (CBM). After mating ''Tranquility'' with the port CBM of ''Unity'', the ''Cupola'' was transferred to the nadir facing port of ''Tranquility'' where it will stay.

The module has three berthing ports that were not scheduled to be used prior to the end of the Space Shuttle program, although there is a Power Data Grapple Fixture reserved for the Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator (Dextre), which is located on the zenith berthing location. In the current ISS configuration ''Tranquility'' is docked to the port berthing location of ''Unity''. As such, the three unused berthing locations of ''Tranquility'' were disabled as the node's close proximity to other segments would prohibit the port's direct use for cargo spacecraft or using the docking module PMA-3, which was relocated from ''Harmony'' to the port berthing location of ''Tranquility'' for storage. At the time, the move of PMA-3 to the port location of ''Tranquility'' was required because NASA decided to leave the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (MPLM) ''Leonardo'' permanently attached to the ISS, which will be located at the nadir side of ''Unity''.

In 2001, NASA considered changing the design of the module. This idea for an extended or "stretched" module,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasawatch.com/iss/02.23.2001.iss.schedule.pdf |title=ISS Program Update 23 Feb 2001 |publisher=NASA |access-date=December 4, 2022 |archive-date=February 26, 2009 |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20090226023407/http://www.nasawatch.com/iss/02.23.2001.iss.schedule.pdf |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref> was a result of the deferral/deletion of the Habitation Module. The stretched module would have held 16 racks, compared with the baseline capacity of eight racks. This modification was not funded and the plans were abandoned.

== Purpose == thumb|Space toilet inside Node 3, after relocation from the U.S. lab

The module's life-support system (ECLSS) recycles waste water for crew use and generates oxygen for the crew to breathe. In addition, ''Tranquility'' contains an atmosphere revitalization system to remove contaminants from the atmosphere and monitor/control the atmosphere constituents of the ISS. ''Tranquility'' also contains a Waste and Hygiene Compartment (toilet) for supporting the on-board crew. In 2020 a more advanced toilet, the Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), was installed alongside the Waste and Hygiene Compartment [https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/boldly-go-nasas-new-space-toilet-offers-more-comfort-improved-efficiency-for-deep-space-missions/].

''Tranquility'' is primarily used for exercise, storage, and robotics work in connection with ''Cupola''.

== Launch, berthing, and connections to other station components == [[File:Node 3 in SSPF.JPG|thumb|''Tranquility'' in the SSPF]]

''Tranquility'' was located in the clean room at the Thales Alenia Space, Turin site until 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skycontrol.net/aerospace/space-shuttle-astronauts-visit-thales-alenia-space-in-turin/|title=Space Shuttle astronauts visit Thales Alenia Space in Turin|publisher=Skycontrol|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316231345/http://www.skycontrol.net/aerospace/space-shuttle-astronauts-visit-thales-alenia-space-in-turin/|archive-date=March 16, 2009}}</ref> It was shipped to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on May 17, 2009, and arrived in Florida on May 20, 2009. It was officially welcomed to KSC on June 8, 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.esa.int/esaHS/SEMZ7X2XTVF_index_0.html|title=European-built ISS module welcomed to KSC|publisher=ESA}}</ref>

''Tranquility'' was launched on February 8, 2010, on board the STS-130 mission flown by ''Endeavour''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html|title=NASA - Consolidated Launch Manifest|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 4, 2008|archive-date=March 7, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307191348/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/iss_manifest.html|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> It was berthed to the port side of ''Unity'' on February 12, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/shuttle/sts130/status.html|title=STS-130 Mission Status Center|publisher=Spaceflight Now}}</ref>

To accommodate SpaceX's Crew Dragon and Boeing Starliner Commercial Crew transports ISS crews began work in March 2015 to configure the station. As part of this work, Pressurized Mating Adapter-3 on the port side of ''Tranquility'' was moved to the zenith port of ''Harmony'', above Pressurized Mating Adapter-2, to serve as a second docking port for these vehicles. In addition, on May 27, 2015, the ''Leonardo'' Permanent Multipurpose Module was moved from the nadir of ''Unity'', to the forward port side of ''Tranquility'' to free up ''Unity'' as a port for berthing cargo spacecraft.<ref>{{cite web|title=Module Relocated Prepping Station for Commercial Crew {{!}} Space Station|url=http://blogs.nasa.gov/spacestation/2015/05/27/module-relocated-prepping-station-for-commercial-crew/ |website=blogs.nasa.gov|date=May 27, 2015 |publisher=NASA|access-date=May 27, 2015}} {{PD-notice}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/02/astronauts-spacewalk-re-wire-iss-commercial-crew/|title=EVA-30 concludes latest ISS commercial crew preparations|date=February 25, 2015 |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com}}</ref>

In April 2016, as part of the cargo payload from SpaceX CRS-8, the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM) was attached to ''Tranquility'' on its aft port for a two-year duration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clarksvilleonline.com/2015/03/15/nasa-to-launch-expandable-habitat-to-international-space-station/|title=NASA to launch Expandable Habitat to International Space station|date=March 15, 2015 |publisher=Clarksville Online}}</ref>

;Port * PMA-3, 2010–2017 * Nanoracks Bishop Airlock, 2020–present

;Starboard * ''Unity'', 2010–present

;Forward * ''Leonardo'', 2015–present

;Aft * Bigelow Expandable Activity Module (BEAM), 2016–present <ref name="sn20190812">{{cite news|url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-planning-to-keep-beam-module-on-iss-for-the-long-haul/|title=NASA planning to keep BEAM module on ISS for the long haul|publisher=SpaceNews|first=Jeff|last=Foust|date=August 12, 2019|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>

;Nadir * ''Cupola'', 2010–present

== Naming contest == NASA held an online poll to name Node 3. Users were allowed to choose from among four provided names (Earthrise, Legacy, Serenity, and Venture), or to suggest their own.<ref name="rules">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/rules.html|title=Help NASA Name Node 3! - Contest Rules|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 23, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090223173922/http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/rules.html|archive-date=February 23, 2009}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> In early voting, fans of the science fiction TV series ''Firefly'' boosted "Serenity", also the name of the show and film's eponymous spacecraft, to the top with 86%.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sfuniverse.com/2009/03/02/help-nasa-name-a-node/|title=Help NASA Name a Node|author=Cynthia|publisher=SF Universe|date=March 2, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515231350/http://www.sfuniverse.com/2009/03/02/help-nasa-name-a-node/|archive-date=May 15, 2009}}</ref> On March 3, 2009, episode of ''The Colbert Report'', host Stephen Colbert instructed his viewers to suggest "Colbert" as the name for Node 3 in the online poll.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/220492/march-03-2009/name-the-nasa-module-after-stephen|title=Name the NASA Module After Stephen|publisher=colbertnation.com|date=March 3, 2008|access-date=March 4, 2008}}</ref>

Following Colbert's call to have the node named after him, several other groups attempted to influence the vote. For example, a number of different environmental groups promoted the name "Amazonia", after the Amazon rainforest. They argued that the name was more appropriate given that Node 3 will include the station's environmental control systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amazoniavscolbert.weebly.com |title=Amazonia vs. Colbert|publisher=Amazoniavscolbertproject|access-date=March 4, 2008}}</ref> Humorist Dave Barry urged readers of his blog to name the node "Buddy", which finished as the sixth most popular user-suggested name.<ref name="results">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221122715/http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 21, 2009|title=Help NASA Name Node 3!|publisher=NASA|access-date=March 23, 2008}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> Gaia Online asked its users to "Send Gaia to Space" by naming the node "Gaia", referring to the Greek goddess of the planet Earth,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gaiaonline.com/forum/announcements/let-s-send-gaia-to-space/t.48045049/|title=Let's send Gaia to SPACE!|publisher=gaiaonline.com|access-date=March 12, 2009}}</ref> and "Gaia" finished third among the user-suggested names.<ref name="results"/> Other popular user suggestions included "myYearbook", "SocialVibe", "Ubuntu", and the name of Scientology's galactic overlord: "Xenu".<ref name="results"/>

"Serenity" was the top choice among the NASA-provided names, with 70% of the vote, but finished second overall, losing to "Colbert" by more than 40,000 votes.<ref name="results"/> The naming contest rules, however, state that although the poll results will be taken into account, NASA has ultimate discretion in choosing an appropriate name for the node.<ref name="rules"/> On April 6, 2009, Stephen Colbert, in jest, threatened a lawsuit if the node was not named after him.<ref>{{cite episode|title=''Space Module: Colbert - Urine Recycling Room''|series=''The Colbert Report''|network=Comedy Central|airdate=April 8, 2009 |season=5}}</ref> In addition, United States Congressman Chaka Fattah stated that he believes that paying attention to democracy and voting results should not be limited to earthbound organizations so he planned to use congressional power to force NASA to honor the winning Colbert write-in votes.<ref>{{cite web|first=Roy|last=Mark|title=Lawmaker Backs Stephen Colbert's NASA Win|url=https://www.eweek.com/news/lawmaker-backs-stephen-colbert-s-nasa-win/|publisher=eWeek|date=March 26, 2009|access-date=March 31, 2009}}</ref>

On April 14, 2009, astronaut Sunita Williams appeared on ''The Colbert Report'', and announced the name of the node would be ''Tranquility''. The name was chosen in honor of the 40th Anniversary of the first lunar landing of Apollo 11 on the Sea of Tranquility.<ref name="naming">{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/node3_name.html|title=Station Module Named 'Tranquility' to Honor Apollo 11|publisher=NASA|access-date=December 1, 2009|archive-date=August 8, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090808011549/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/behindscenes/node3_name.html|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref> However, the treadmill the astronauts use for exercise has been named "C.O.L.B.E.R.T." for "Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill" and is located in ''Tranquility''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-041409a.html|title=''NASA names space module for moon base ... not Colbert'' |publisher=collectSPACE}}</ref> Colbert was thrilled and happily accepted this offer. The treadmill traveled to space aboard Space Shuttle mission STS-128 on August 28, 2009, for eventual installation in the ''Tranquility'' node during STS-130.

== Image gallery == <gallery> Image:Tranquility-node3-move.JPG|''Tranquility'' during its move from ''Endeavour'' to the install position on the ''Unity'' node Image:STS-130 relocation of Cupola 2.jpg|''Cupola'' just after installation at Earth-facing port on ''Tranquility'' Image:Tranquility-node3.JPG|''Tranquility'' with ''Cupola'' attached File:STS-130 PMA-3 relocation 3.jpg|PMA-3 is moved to the end of ''Tranquility''. ''Cupola'' is seen on top with its protective launch cover still attached. File:STS-130 EVA3 Nicholas Patrick iss022e066872 full view crop.jpg|Astronaut Nicholas Patrick hanging on to ''Cupola'' after insulation has been removed File:Tranquility from departing STS-130.jpg|''Tranquility'' seen top left corner with ''Cupola'' and PMA-3 </gallery>

== See also == {{Portal|Spaceflight}} * Tranquility Base, namesake

== References == {{Reflist}}

== Note list == {{notelist}}

== External links == {{Commons category|Tranquility (ISS module)}} * [http://www.esa.int/esaHS/ESAFQL0VMOC_iss_0.html Node 3 specifications from the ESA] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120305211335/http://www.thalesaleniaspace-issmodules.com/node3 Thales Alenia Space page for Node 3]

Category:Spacecraft launched in 2010 Category:Modules of the International Space Station Category:Thales Alenia Space spacecraft