The Cupola is an ESA-built observatory module of the International Space Station (ISS), constructed in Turin, Italy. Its name derives from the Italian word “cupola,” meaning “dome.” It was launched aboard the Space Shuttle mission STS-130 on 8 February 2010 and attached to the Tranquility (Node 3) module. With the Cupola attached, the ISS assembly reached 85 percent completion.

The Cupola is a small module designed for observing operations outside the station, such as robotic activities, the approach of vehicles, and spacewalks. Its six side windows and a direct nadir viewing window offer spectacular views of Earth and celestial objects. The windows are equipped with shutters to protect them from contamination and collisions with orbital debris or micrometeorites.