The U.S. built Laboratory Module, called Destiny, is the main science section of the International Space Station. The crew work inside the pressurized module to conduct research in numerous scientific fields in the near-zero gravity of space. Scientists throughout the world will use the results to enhance their studies in medicine, engineering, biotechnology, physics, materials science, and Earth science.

Destiny also houses equipment used for running other sections of the Station and for operating the Station's robot arm (Canadarm2).

The station truss, The Integrated Truss Structure (ITS), which supports the U.S. Solar Arrays, is attached to the top of Destiny.

Destiny's rear docking port is permanently berthed to the forward port of Node 1. (Unity) and its forward port is permanently berthed to Node 2. (Harmony).

References: NASA,  Wikipedia

The Destiny laboratory module consists of three cylindrical sections and two end-cones with hatches that are mated to other station components. It is pressurised to match the other station modules.

Destiny is fabricated of aluminium with an exterior waffle pattern that strengthens the hull. The exterior is covered by a debris shield blanket made of a material similar to that used in bulletproof vests on Earth.

A thin aluminium debris shield was then placed over the blanket for additional protection.

Destiny contains the following main mechanisms to support the operation of the Station:-

Common Berthing Mechanisms (CBMs) either passive (PCBM) or active (ACBM) - One PCBM in its aft port which is latched to the ACBM in Unity's forward port. This berths Destiny to Unity. There is also one ACBM in its forward port which is latched to the PCBM in Harmony's rear port. This berths Harmony to Destiny.

Hatches - Each of the two berthing ports on Destiny contains a hatch. Both hatches remains open unless a situation arises requiring a module to be isolated. Each hatch has a window and can be opened or closed from either side and a pressure inter lock feature, which prevents the hatch from being opened if there is a negative pressure across the hatch (higher pressure on the outside of the hatch).

Laboratory window shutter: - An optical quality window (50.9 cm diameter) is located on one side near the center of the module. When the window is not in use an external shutter protects it from potential micrometeoroid and orbital debris strikes. The shutter is manually opened by the crew. The window is principally for Earth science observations.

Destiny supports experiments and studies in a number of science and engineering disciplines. These experiments will allow scientists to better understand our world, ourselves and prepare for future missions to the Moon and Mars.

Typical experiments and research include the following:-

Destiny contains 23 System and Experiment Racks for it's science functions. six are located on the port side, six on the starboard side, six overhead and five on the deck.

System Racks (11) - House, in removable modular units, the system hardware which provides life-sustaining functions. These include: electrical power, cooling water, air revitalization, temperature and humidity control.

Experiment Racks (12) - provide platforms for a variety of scientific experiments brought to the Station on subsequent missions.

Rack standoffs (4) - provide space for ducting, piping and wiring to be run to/from the individual racks. The racks interface to these via outlets and ports located at the base end of each rack.

Vestibule jumpers are located between Unity and Destiny to connect the piping and wiring between them.

Destiny provides the following facilities for the operation and management of the Station:

Environmental Control and Life Support (ECLSS) - maintains a pressurized habitable environment within the ISS by:-

* Supplying correct amounts of oxygen and nitrogen
* Controlling the temperature and humidity
* Removing carbon dioxide and other atmospheric contaminants
* Monitoring the atmosphere for the presence of combustion products
* Collecting, processing, and storing water removed from the ISS atmosphere
* Fire detection and suppression, Vacuum system.

Thermal Control System (active and passive) - activates the early external and internal thermal control systems to accommodate the addition of Destiny's thermal loads.

Guidance, Control and Navigation - The Motion Control System was improved with the Destiny's control of the gyroscopes mounted in the Z1 truss. The U.S. segment Guidance, Navigation and Control System takes control of the ISS with state vector and attitude inputs from the Russian segment. The Russian segment propulsive capability is still needed for joint attitude control during CMG de-saturation and for re-boost. The Motion Control System is now integrated between Zvezda and Destiny's computers.

The Russian segment continues to manage its own modules while interfacing with the U.S. segment Motion Control System for certain data and operations. The Node 1 MDM Node control software continues to provide closed-loop control of environmental, heater, thermal systems and power for Unity, the PMAs, and truss segments. Destiny's MDM architecture controls the rest of the U.S. on-orbit segment.

Communication and Tracking - includes: Audio system, Video system, Space-to-space communication system, Ku-band, S-band systems. The Communication and Tracking system activated high-data rate S-band to replace the early com system. The audio system comes on-line and the hardware for Ku-band, UHF and the video distribution system were delivered with Destiny but not activated until future missions.

The S-band system provides two-way communications with the ISS and the Mission Control Center via the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System. This is used for commands and system telemetry, voice and file transfer. The internal audio sub-system allows crew members to communicate with each other aboard the ISS.

Electrical Power System (EPS) - manages, controls, and distributes electrical power to the U.S. pressurized modules. It received all the new electrical loads in the laboratory. Power is brought to Destiny from the P6 array through the Z1/Destiny umbilical tray. The power is brought to two DC-to-DC converter units in Destiny and is distributed to the secondary power distribution assemblies and downstream loads.

Command and Data Handling System - gained 11 MDMs with the installation of Destiny. These MDMs are used to control the U.S. on-orbit segment systems including pay loads.

External Stowage Platforms (ESPs) hold equipment and spare parts for use in the non-pressurised sections of the Station. They are then accessible to crew during "Space Walks". ESP-1 is installed on the port side of Destiny.