SPACEPHOTOS

(06/30/2000) -- Resting in a rotation and handling fixture, the U.S. Lab, a component of the International Space Station, is nearly vertical. The Lab, named Destiny, will undergo testing in the altitude chamber in the Operations and Checkout Building. Behind the Lab is the payload canister which transported it from the Space Station Processing Facility. Destiny is scheduled to fly on mission STS-98 in early 2001. During the mission, the crew will install the Lab in the Space Station during a series of three space walks. The STS-98 mission will provide the Station with science research facilities and expand its power, life support and control capabilities. The U.S. Lab module continues a long tradition of microgravity materials research, first conducted by Skylab and later Shuttle and Spacelab missions. Destiny is expected to be a major feature in future research, providing facilities for biotechnology, fluid physics, combustion, and life sciences research