[ International Space Station ]

Quest Joint Airlock

Prior to the installation of the airlock, spacewalks could only be performed when a shuttle was docked to the station. The new airlock will permit independent spacewalks and accomodates either Russian or American spacesuits.

Airlock Specifications (credit NASA):
    Material: Aluminum
    Length: 5.5 meters (18 ft.)
    Diameter: 4 meters (13 ft.)
    Weight: 6,064 kilograms (13,368 lbs.)
    Volume: 34 cubic meters (1,200 cu ft.)
    Cost: $164 million, including tanks

airlock.jpg (36566 bytes)
Credit: NASA

JointAirlock.gif (54786 bytes)
Credit: NASA

 Joint Airlock being moved to the cargo cannister.
(click image for a larger view)

7a.jpg (8844 bytes)
Credit: NASA

 Relative position of the airlock on the station.

quest1.jpg (17274 bytes)
Credit: NASA

 Quest airlock as seen from inside the ISS during STS-112.
(click for a larger view)