An Age of Magic

One for space tourists – an observation deck.

It may not be a five-star space hotel, but life has never been so good off planet. Just two weeks after the arrival of the Internet, the International Space Station is getting an Italian-made observation deck that will offer panoramic views of Earth. Space shuttle Endeavour will deliver the seven-windowed dome to the International Space Station next week, along with more living space in an chamber called Tranquility.

Endeavour is due to launch with six astronauts on board at 0939 GMT. It comes just days after President Barack Obama’s big space station plug in his proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. While the White House scrapped NASA’s moonward-ho Constellation program, the space station got an extension until at least 2020, with the promise of more relevant research.

When astronauts exercise in the Tranquility, for instance, they will be able to gaze out the nearby dome windows whenever the shutters are open. And when the day’s work is done, they will be able to pop their heads and shoulders into the 5-foot tall cupola, beholding the universe. The lookout also will provide 360-degree views of the space station, allowing the crew to see directly outside during robotic work. Until now, they’ve had to rely on TV cameras when they use the robot arm to move or install big-ticket items.

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