ITALY

Strength: Creativity in naming modules

Gives: Three logistics modules, ISS "moving vans" called Leonardo, Donatello and Raffaello (named after inventor-scientist Leonardo da Vinci, sculptor Donato di Niccolo Di Betto and artist Raffaello Sanzio) to move equipment racks, experiments and supplies from shuttle to ISS. In addition, Italy is among the European contributors to ESA.

Gets: In straight swap, 0.85 percent use of U.S. inside payload space, 0.85 percent U.S. outside payloads, 0.85 percent U.S. power and crew time, some astronaut slots.

BRAZIL

Strength: Great enthusiasm.

Gives: $200 million for an outside moveable experiment pallet that's part of the program to EXpedite the PRocessing of Experiments to Space Station (EXPRESS).

Gets: One EXPRESS locker and services for the launch and return of 300 pounds of payload, one adapter site, some U.S. power and crew time, and one astronaut slot.

Dedicated platforms called EXPRESS pallets, like this one, will hold external payload instruments at four locations on the International Space Station.

JAPAN

Strength: Potential for making ISS cheaper, better, faster.

Gives: $3.1 billion for Kibo experiment cargo module, experiment racks, 32.5-foot robotic arm, external platform.

Gets: 51 percent of space on Kibo, 50 percent attached payload sites, 12.8 percent power and crew time.