The Endeavour astronauts cranked open aluminum shutters protecting the windows in the space station's new observation deck early Wednesday, giving the crew inside an "absolutely incredible" vista of the Earth 220 miles below.

A view from inside cupola with the window shutters open. Credit: NASA

Spacewalkers Robert Behnken and Nicholas Patrick first removed insulation blankets from the cupola's seven windows late Tuesday and unbolted launch locks holding the aluminum shutters in place.

Astronauts Terry Virts and Kay Hire, standing by inside the cupola, then were cleared to crank open the shutters one at a time to test the deployment mechanisms, starting with the module's large central window.

"Terry and Kay, you are clear to open window number seven for a shutter check and get the first view out the cupola," Endeavour commander George Zamka called just after midnight.

"I see it opening," Patrick said from his perch outside. Live television views showed the disk-like shutter smoothly rotating open and out of the way.

"Well, as expected, the view from window seven is absolutely spectacular," station commander Jeffrey Williams marveled. "This has to be the largest window on board and when we have the others around it open, it'll give us a view of the entire globe. Absolutely incredible."

Earlier in the spacewalk, Behnken and Patrick activated a second ammonia coolant loop for the Tranquility module, removed a no-longer-needed keep-alive heater cable and connected power and data cables to a pressurized docking port on Tranquility's outboard port.

They then made their way to the cupola to remove the insulation and launch locks. There were no problems of any significance and the cupola's systems appear to be working normally.

"Our wakeup music today on Endeavour was Jimmy Buffett's 'Window on the World,'" astronaut Steve Robinson observed. "I think that came from Kay's family."

"Ah, lovely," Patrick replied.

The spacewalk officially began when Behnken and Patrick switched their spacesuits to battery power at 9:15 p.m. EST.

"Bob and Nick, have a tremendous third EVA," Zamka radioed the spacewalkers. "You guys are doing great work so far, let's get that other cooling loop fired up for node 3 and let's take the covers off (the cupola)."

The five-hour 48-minute EVA ended when the spacewalkers began repressurizing the space station's Quest airlock at 3:03 a.m. Wednesday.

"Hey Bob and Nick. Welcome back to the airlock," astronaut Kay Hire called. "Great job raising the curtains on the bay window to the world."

"Thank you, Kay. It was fun," Patrick replied. "I look forward to the view from the inside."

Before re-entering the space station, Behnken and Patrick thanked flight controllers and their trainers.

"Thank you very much for those kind words, we all appreciate it," said Hal Getzelman in mission control "Right now, we're admiring your handiwork and I'm sure you guys are going to appreciate looking from the other side of the cupola out."

"We are looking forward to that," Patrick agreed.

"I don't think space station's ever going to be the same after this," said astronaut Stephen Robinson, the spacewalk coordinator.

This was the 140th spacewalk devoted to station assembly an maintenance since construction began in 1998 and the third for the Endeavour crew. Total station EVA time now stands at 873 hours and 16 minutes while the total for Endeavour's mission is 18 hours and 14 minutes.

Additional coverage for subscribers:
VIDEO: CUPOLA OPEN FOR VIEWING PLAY
VIDEO: FREEING THE SHUTTERS PLAY
VIDEO: CUPOLA IS UNVEILED! PLAY
VIDEO: FIRST HALF OF CUPOLA UNCOVERED PLAY
VIDEO: WIRING UP DOCKING ADAPTER ON TRANQUILITY PLAY
VIDEO: ACTIVATING TRANQUILITY'S OTHER COOLING LOOP PLAY
VIDEO: SPACEWALKERS FLOAT OUT OF AIRLOCK PLAY
VIDEO: STEP-BY-STEP PREVIEW OF SPACEWALK NO. 3 PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 10 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: FLY WITH THE ASTRONAUTS IN THE COCKPIT PLAY
VIDEO: LOOKING OUT THE PILOT'S FRONT WINDOW PLAY
VIDEO: LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING UPWARD PLAY
VIDEO: LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING INBOARD PLAY
VIDEO: LEFT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING DOWNWARD PLAY
VIDEO: RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING UPWARD PLAY
VIDEO: RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING INBOARD PLAY
VIDEO: RIGHT-HAND BOOSTER CAMERA LOOKING DOWNWARD PLAY
VIDEO: EXTERNAL TANK CAMERA FROM LIFTOFF TO SEPARATION PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 9 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
VIDEO: TUESDAY MORNING'S MISSION STATUS BRIEFING PLAY
VIDEO: DOCKING ADAPTER PLACED ONTO TRANQUILITY PLAY
VIDEO: PREVIEW OF FLIGHT DAY 9 ACTIVITIES PLAY

VIDEO: FLIGHT DAY 8 HIGHLIGHTS MOVIE PLAY
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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