About the mission logos
The Columbus laboratory takes its name from the famous Genoan navigator Christopher Columbus who made the notable voyages to the Americas from 1492 to 1504.
Columbus laboratory logo
The lower half of the Columbus logo consists of a lighter blue circle symbolizing the Earth. This is surrounded by a darker blue ellipse which signifies the initial orbit of the Shuttle transporting Columbus after launch. Above these the International Space Station is shown at its higher orbiting altitude.
The white stripe across the Earth symbolises two things. Firstly, it symbolises the path from east to west, which Christopher Columbus took on his way to the Americas. Secondly, it symbolizes the path of the Columbus laboratory from west to east from the launch pad in Florida into orbit and to the International Space Station, following an orbital path symbolised by the stars.
The stars (10 gold and one blue) symbolise the 11 ESA Member States that contribute to ESA's human spaceflight programme. With the last star being the central part of the ISS, the stars also symbolise how the Columbus laboratory, following its orbital journey, will become an integral part of the International Space Station.
The final star also symbolises the spark of genius inherent in the groundbreaking science that will take place in the laboratory once it is commissioned.
Shuttle mission patch
NASA's STS-122 patch depicts the continuation of the voyages of the early explorers to today's frontier, space. The ship denotes the travels of the early expeditions from the east to the west. The Space Shuttle indicates the continuation of that journey along the orbital path from west to east.
A little more than 500 years after Columbus sailed to the new world, the STS-122 crew will bring the European laboratory module 'Columbus' to the International Space Station to usher in a new era of scientific discovery.
Last update: 25 January 2008
Rate this
Views
Share
- Currently 0 out of 5 Stars.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
Rating: 0/5 (0 votes cast)Thank you for rating!
You have already rated this page, you can only rate it once!
Your rating has been changed, thanks for rating!