FYI, the Science Power Module (which I recall being called the Science Power Platform, but oh well) is actually a Russian component to provide additional power to their planned future laboratory modules. They have been having problems with schedule and budget slips on the SPP for years, so while it's sad to see it go, I'm not really shocked.<br /><br />NASA made one concession to help the SPP happen -- they agreed to carry it aloft in the Space Shuttle, which made the design much simpler and also cheaper. It is possible that the continued delays in the Shuttle program since STS-107 have been the straw that broke the camel's back as far as the SPP was concerned. Plus, if Russia doesn't get any more modules delivered, they won't need it anyway. <br /><br />Addendum: the Cupola is a US module, and it is nearing completion, but it was actually removed from the definition of "core complete" prior to STS-107, making it unlikely it would ever be installed on the station. It's not the only module to have had that happen. The CRV had considerable work done on it before it was unceremonially scrapped by the "core complete" thing. Yet some contracts had been made, so parts continued to roll in. Cancelling a component doesn't always stop work on it; it depends on what's already been paid for. <div class="Discussion_UserSignature"> <p> </p><p><font color="#666699"><em>"People assume that time is a strict progression of cause to effect, but actually from a non-linear, non-subjective viewpoint it's more like a big ball of wibbly wobbly . . . timey wimey . . . stuff."</em> -- The Tenth Doctor, "Blink"</font></p> </div>