A new viewport is installed in the ISS

HOUSTON, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- NASA says the International Space Station's viewport in the recently installed Tranquility node is now facing Earth.

The cupola, installed during a spacewalk by space shuttle Endeavour astronauts Kathryn Hire and pilot Terry Virts, provides a panoramic view of the planet and of approaching space ships, NASA said.

The relocation was completed Monday at 1:31 a.m.

"There was a minor delay in releasing the cupola," NASA said in a statement. "The bolts attaching it to its launch position on Tranquility had been torqued in Earth's gravity and were a little tighter than expected. Flight controllers slightly increased the torque to release the bolts, resolving the problem."

The ISS and Endeavour crew members were to outfit the cupola Monday, including making preparations for filling water lines and for installation of a robotics workstation. The crew members are expected to get their first look out the cupola now still-shuttered windows after Tuesday's third scheduled spacewalk of Endeavour's stay at the station.