ISS Node 2 Module Has a New Name

Thanks to students from across the country, the Node 2 module destined for the International Space Station will also be known as "Harmony."

The name was chosen from an academic competition involving more than 2,200 kindergarten through high school students from 32 states. The Node 2 Challenge required students to learn about the space station, build a scale model and write an essay explaining their proposed name for the module that will serve as a central hub for science labs.

The winning name was announced Thursday at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Harmony is currently being prepared for its space shuttle Atlantis flight, designated STS-120, targeted for launch in late 2007. Members of the STS-120 crew and managers who are preparing Harmony for launch took part in the naming event.

"These types of academic competitions involve students, educators, families and the general public and help them participate in our nation's space exploration program," said Joyce Winterton, assistant administrator for Education.

Six different schools submitted "Harmony." A panel of NASA educators, engineers, scientists and senior agency management selected the name because it symbolizes the spirit of international cooperation.

The winning classes are:

• Paul Cummins' 8th Grade class at Browne Academy, Alexandria, VA
• Sue Wilson's 3rd grade class at Buchanan Elementary School, Baton Rouge, LA
• Brigette Berry's 8th grade class at League City Intermediate School, League City, TX
• Bradley Neu's 9th grade science class at Lubbock High School, Lubbock, TX
• Yocum Russell's 3rd Grade class at West Navarre Intermediate School, Navarre, FL
• David Dexheimer's students at the World Group Home School, Monona, WI

Harmony is approximately 21 feet long and 14 feet in diameter. The pressurized module will act as an internal connecting port and passageway to additional international science labs and cargo spacecraft.

In addition to increasing living and working space inside the station, it also will serve as a work platform outside for the station's robotic arm.

"This module will allow all international partner pieces of the station to connect together, so it's really wonderful that kids recognize that harmony is necessary for space cooperation," said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations.

Harmony joins three other named US modules on the station: the Destiny laboratory, the Quest airlock and the Unity node.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/station