After resolving minor problems with a pair of balky bolts early Monday, the Endeavour astronauts moved a multi-window cupola to the new Tranquility module's Earth-facing port where the observation deck will provide bay-window views for robot arm operators.

The robot arm moves cupola on Tranquility. Credit: NASA TV

Initial attempts to detach the cupola from Tranquility's outboard port ran into a snag late Sunday when at least two motorized bolts in the docking mechanism failed to disengage. The common berthing mechanism features four sets of motorized bolts.

"We had some initial challenges with unbolting the cupola from the port side and that was basically due to higher than expected running torques on the bolts," said shuttle Flight Director Kwatsi Alibaruho. "The cupola was bolted to the port side of node 3 on the ground so we just had to apply slightly higher torque than what we had expected, just by a few newton-meters."

The control software, in its default mode, was limited to applying a maximum torque of about 22 foot-pounds. When that didn't work, flight controllers sent commands to increase the torque and the bolts released at about 27 foot-pounds.

"So not a problem at all, just a minor adjustment we had to make," Alibaruho said. He described the problem as "analogous to a situation where if you had a piece of equipment from the manufacturer that's got screws or bolts in it, they tend to be bolted down fairly tight. Once you release that initial torque ... the subsequent torque that you experience on those bolts tends to be a little bit less. Same type of situation, but no indication of off-nominal performance of the mechanism at all."

After the common berthing mechanism disengaged, astronauts Kay Hire and Terry Virts, operating the space station's robot arm, moved the cupola into position for attachment at Tranquility's nadir port.

Motorized bolts drove home in two stages, completing the attachment procedure at 1:31 a.m. The astronauts planned to work on outfitting the vestibule between Tranquility and the cupola later this morning, but they do not plan to open the hatch and go inside until overnight Monday.

The cupola features six canted windows and a central overhead pane. While it will give station crews panoramic views of Earth, the primary goal is to give robot arm operators direct views of approaching unmanned cargo ships. Computer displays and equipment for controlling the station's robot arm will be moved into the cupola overnight Wednesday.

Launch locks and protective window covers will be released during a spacewalk overnight Tuesday.

Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: NEW YORK, ST. LOUIS AND MEMPHIS MEDIA INTERVIEWS PLAY
VIDEO: MONDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: OBSERVATION PORTAL RELOCATED TO NEW HOME PLAY
VIDEO: CUPOLA PLUCKED FROM OUTBOARD PORT PLAY
VIDEO: ROBOTIC ARM GRAPPLES CUPOLA PLAY
VIDEO: CREW'S EDUCATIONAL EVENT PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 8 ACTIVITIES PLAY
VIDEO: SUNDAY AFTERNOON'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 7 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: SUNDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: PREPPING CUPOLA'S NEW HOME PORT PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS COMPLETE OTHER OUTFITTING WORK PLAY
VIDEO: AMMONIA BEGINS FLOWING TO COOL TRANQUILITY PLAY
VIDEO: PATRICK'S SPACESUIT CONTAMINATION CHECKS PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS INSTALL SECOND COOLANT LOOP PLAY
VIDEO: FIRST SET OF AMMONIA LINES HOOKED UP PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 7 ACTIVITIES PLAY
VIDEO: STEP-BY-STEP PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 2 PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 6 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: OPENING CUPOLA'S HATCHWAY BRIEFLY PLAY
VIDEO: ENTERING TRANQUILITY FOR FIRST TIME PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS ANSWER TWITTER QUESTIONS PLAY
VIDEO: ASSOCIATED PRESS, CBS AND REUTERS MEDIA INTERVIEWS PLAY
VIDEO: SATURDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 6 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: FRIDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: FRIDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 5 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: STEP-BY-STEP PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 1 PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 5 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 4 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: SACRAMENTO, MOBILE AND ST. LOUIS MEDIA INTERVIEWS PLAY
VIDEO: WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: WEDNESDAY MORNING'S FLIGHT DIRECTOR INTERVIEW PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 4 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 3 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: WEDNESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: SHUTTLE CREW WELCOMED ABOARD STATION PLAY
VIDEO: HATCHWAY OPENED BETWEEN TWO SPACECRAFT PLAY
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR DOCKS TO THE SPACE STATION PLAY
VIDEO: SHUTTLE FLIES OUT IN FRONT OF STATION PLAY
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR PERFORMS 360-DEGREE BACKFLIP PLAY
VIDEO: STUNNING SHOT OF SHUTTLE AGAINST HORIZON PLAY
VIDEO: STATION'S VIEW OF SHUTTLE ENGINE FIRING PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 3 ACTIVITIES PLAY
VIDEO: TUESDAY AFTERNOON'S MANAGEMENT TEAM UPDATE PLAY

VIDEO: AMAZING LAUNCH FOOTAGE FROM COCKPIT CAMERA PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 2 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: TUESDAY'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF WING INSPECTIONS PLAY
VIDEO: INSPECTION BOOM READIED FOR USE PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 2 ACTIVITIES PLAY
VIDEO: NARRATED TOUR OF ENDEAVOUR'S PAYLOAD BAY PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 1 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: THE FULL STS-130 LAUNCH EXPERIENCE PLAY
VIDEO: SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR BLASTS OFF! PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: GO BEHIND THE SCENES IN MISSION CONTROL PLAY
VIDEO: JETTISONED EXTERNAL FUEL TANK TUMBLES AWAY PLAY
VIDEO: PAYLOAD BAY DOORS OPENED FOLLOWING LAUNCH PLAY

VIDEO: CREW FINISHES GETTING SUITED UP PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS LEAVE CREW QUARTERS PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW ARRIVES AT LAUNCH PAD 39A PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS BOARD THEIR SPACECRAFT PLAY

VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: VAB ROOF PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PRESS SITE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD PERIMETER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: BEACH TRACKER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD CAMERA 070 PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD CAMERA 071 PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: UCS-23 TRACKER PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PLAYALINDA BEACH PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: PAD FRONT CAMERA PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LAUNCH REPLAY: BANANA CREEK SITE PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: NARRATED REVIEW OF SHUTTLE'S PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: NARRATED REVIEW OF PAYLOADS' PREPARATIONS PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: EXPLANATION OF WEATHER PROBLEMS PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: LOW CLOUDS SCRUB FIRST COUNTDOWN PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS DEPART QUARTERS FOR PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW GETS SUITED UP FOR LAUNCH ATTEMPT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: PAD SERVICE GANTRY RETRACTED PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE OF MOBILE TOWER ROLLBACK PLAY

VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH COMMANDER GEORGE ZAMKA PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH PILOT TERRY VIRTS PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MISSION SPECIALIST 1 KAY HIRE PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MISSION SPECIALIST 2 STEVE ROBINSON PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MISSION SPECIALIST 3 NICK PATRICK PLAY
VIDEO: INTERVIEW WITH MISSION SPECIALIST 4 BOB BEHNKEN PLAY

VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR'S PRE-LAUNCH NEWS CONFERENCE PLAY
VIDEO: THURSDAY STATUS AND WEATHER UPDATE PLAY
VIDEO: COUNTDOWN PREVIEW BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: LAUNCH DATE SET AT FLIGHT READINESS REVIEW PLAY
VIDEO: PAYLOAD BAY DOORS CLOSED FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW SEES TRANQUILITY LOADED INTO SHUTTLE PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: SHUTTLE EVACUATION PRACTICE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS BOARD ENDEAVOUR PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: THE LAUNCH DAY SIMULATION BEGINS PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: PAD BUNKER TRAINING FOR THE CREW PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW BRIEFED ON EMERGENCY PROCEDURES PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: TEST-DRIVING AN EMERGENCY ARMORED TANK PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: NIGHTTIME APPROACHES IN TRAINING AIRCRAFT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS CHAT WITH REPORTERS AT PAD 39A PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKER UPDATES COOLING HOSE FIX PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ROBINSON'S THOUGHTS ON SHUTTLE RETIREMENT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS ARRIVE FOR PRACTICE COUNTDOWN PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: TRANQUILITY DELIVERED TO PAD 39A PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: PAYLOAD TRANSPORTER GOES UPRIGHT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: PACKING UP PAYLOAD FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR'S FRIGID ROLLOUT TO PAD PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR HOISTED FOR ATTACHMENT TO TANK PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CRANE ROTATES THE ORBITER VERTICALLY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR MOVES TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE SHOWS ENDEAVOUR ASCENDING IN VAB PLAY
VIDEO: TIME-LAPSE SHOWS THE MOVE TO ASSEMBLY BUILDING PLAY

VIDEO: ORBITER READY TO LEAVE HANGAR PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: EXTERNAL TANK ATTACHED TO BOOSTERS PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR'S MAIN ENGINE INSTALLATION PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ASTRONAUTS VISIT THEIR SPACECRAFT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CREW INSPECTS MISSION PAYLOADS PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: FUEL TANK UNLOADED FROM THE BARGE PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: EXTERNAL TANK ARRIVES AT SPACEPORT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: FORWARD THRUSTER POD CHECKED OUT PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: ENDEAVOUR TOWED OFF RUNWAY FROM STS-127 PLAY | HI-DEF

VIDEO: TRANQUILITY HATCH SEALED FOR LAUNCH PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: CUPOLA ATTACHED TO TRANQUILITY PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: THE SPACE STATION'S NEW CUPOLA PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: TRANQUILITY UNPACKED IN FLORIDA PLAY | HI-DEF
VIDEO: NEW MODULE ARRIVES FROM EUROPE PLAY | HI-DEF
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