As the day begins on the International Space Station the cupola, the 360 degree view port's inner lights shine brightly while the sun begins its rise slowly on the Earth below. The cupola is a panoramic control tower for the station with windows through which operations on the outside of the station can be observed and guided. Through the robotics workstation, astronauts are able to control the space station's robotic arm, which helps with the attachment and assembly of various station elements, very much like the operator of a building crane. Spacewalking activities can also be observed from the Cupola along with visiting spacecraft and external areas of the station.