Lab or Destiny is the primary research laboratory for U.S. payloads, supporting a wide range
of experiments and studies contributing to health, safety and quality of life for people
all over the world. Science conducted on the station offers researchers an unparalleled
opportunity to test physical processes in the absence of gravity.
The laboratory was designed to hold sets of modular racks that could be added, removed
or replaced as necessary. They can contain fluid and electrical connectors, video
equipment, sensors, controllers and motion dampeners to support whatever experiments are
housed in them.
When it arrived at the station, Destiny had five racks housing electrical and
life-support systems. Subsequent shuttle missions have delivered more racks and experiment
facilities, including the Microgravity Science Glovebox, the Human Research Facility and
five racks to hold various science experiments. Eventually, Destiny will hold up to 13
payload racks with experiments in human life science, materials research, Earth
observations and commercial applications.
Destiny's window - which takes up the space of one rack - is an optical gem that makes
possible the ability to shoot very high quality photos and video. Imagery captured from
this window has given geologists and meteorologists the opportunity to study floods,
avalanches, fires and ocean events such as plankton blooms in a way they have never seen
before.
Before the station is complete, Destiny will be joined by laboratory modules sponsored
by the National Space Development Agency of Japan, European Space Agency and
Rosaviakosmos.
In addition to its role as a science facility, Destiny also contains the control center
for the station's robotic arm operations.
The aluminum module is 8.5 meters long and 4.3 meters in diameter. The lab consists of
three cylindrical sections and two endcones with hatches that can be mated to other
station components. A 50.9-centimeter-diameter window is located on one side of the center
module segment.
An exterior waffle pattern strengthens the hull of the lab. The exterior is covered by
a debris shield blanket made of a material similar to that used in bulletproof vests on
Earth. A thin aluminum debris shield has been placed over the blanket for additional
protection.