Nasa will launch the space shuttle Endeavour on 7 February to begin a 13-day flight to the International Space Station for the STS-130 mission.

The mission will include three spacewalks and the delivery of the Italian-built Tranquility node, the final module of the US portion of the space station, which will provide additional room for crew members and many of the space station’s life support and environmental control systems.

A cupola featuring a robotic control station and seven windows will be attached to the node to provide a panoramic view of Earth, celestial objects and visiting spacecraft.

The flight marks the beginning of Endeavour’s final year of space shuttle operations. It will be its 24th mission, and the 33rd shuttle flight for station assembly and maintenance.

Five shuttle missions are planned for 2010, with the last flight expected to be launched in September.