The Russian-built NASA-financed Zarya module, left, was the first component of the International Space Station to reach orbit. The second was the Unity connecting node, right.

8This artist's rendering shows the deployment of the "Unity" module, the connecting segment for the International Space Station (left) and the space shuttle "Endeavour," as astronauts prepare to ...

U.S. space shuttle Endeavour crewmembers Russian Sergei Krikalev (L) and U.S. Commander Bob Cabana (R) check readings from the U.S. Unity connecting module and the Russian Zarya control module, on ...

Unity is made of aluminum and is cylindrical in shape, with six berthing locations facilitating connections to other modules. It measures 15 feet in diameter and is 17.9 feet long (see NASA photo at ...

Astronaut James H. Newman, waves at camera as he holds onto one of the hand rails on the Unity connecting module during the early stages of a 7-hour, 21-minute spacewalk spent connecting 40 cables ...

NASA is still hoping for a Feb. 7 launch of shuttle Endeavour despite broken hoses on a space station module riding on board.

Parmitano was setting up an internet cable between the space station's Unity connecting node and the Russian Zarya module when he noticed liquid collecting inside his helmet.