SPACEPHOTOS

(06/30/2000) -- In the Operations and Checkout Building (O&C), the U.S. Lab, a component of the International Space Station, is lifted off the floor in order to be raised to a vertical position. The Lab, named Destiny, will undergo testing in the altitude chamber in the O&C. 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