The Atlantis is to deliver the Columbus, a science module built in Europe, to the station.
Among other things, the revised plans call for expanding the use of the United States' Destiny science module aboard the station.
WASHINGTON — Astronauts placed the crown jewel of Europe's contribution to the International Space Station into its permanent setting on Monday with the attachment of the Columbus science module.
The mission, which involves bringing part of a new Japanese science module to the station and five space walks, will be launched at 2 28 a.m.
Afterward the spacewalkers examined and secured some misaligned debris shields on the American Destiny science module and placed thermal covers over metal pins attached to the Columbus.
In the revision, some room in the United States' Destiny science module for experiments would be used for a support system to regenerate water and air.
22 NASA Finishes Station Plans NASA has finished its plans for the International Space Station, including expansion of a science module to accommodate housing for more astronauts, officials said.
That delivery is expected to clear the way for the American-built Destiny science module, the center of the station's research activity, to arrive in January.
The shuttle Atlantis is scheduled to fly to the station as early as Dec. 6 to deliver a European-made science module.
A late-winter storm cruising through the Midwest on Saturday snarled airport traffic.The science module also seems to require some improvement.
