• → European Space Agency

      • Space for Europe
      • Space News
      • Space in Images
      • Space in Videos
    • About Us

      • Welcome to ESA
      • DG's News and Views
      • For Member State Delegations
      • Business with ESA
      • ESA Exhibitions
      • ESA Publications
      • Careers at ESA
    • Our Activities

      • Space News
      • Observing the Earth
      • Human Spaceflight
      • Launchers
      • Navigation
      • Space Science
      • Space Engineering
      • Operations
      • Technology
      • Telecommunications & Integrated Applications
    • For Public

    • For Media

    • For Educators

    • For Kids

    • ESA

    • Columbus

    • Human Spaceflight and Exploration

    • Astronauts

    • International Space Station

    • About Columbus
    • Columbus laboratory
    • Columbus facts & figures
    • Columbus facilities
    • Biolab
    • European Drawer Rack (EDR)
    • European Physiology Modules (EPM)
    • European Transport Carrier (ETC)
    • Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL)
    • Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG)
    • External payloads
    • EUTEF
    • SOLAR
    • Columbus operations
    • Columbus Control Centre
    • User Support and Operations Centres
    • Columbus Mission

      • About the mission
      • Mission objectives
      • Daily activities STS-122
      • Mission facts STS-122
      • Crew biographies
    • Downloads
    • Information Kit (pdfs)
    • Mission newspapers
    • Brochure (pdf)
    • Multimedia
    • Image gallery
    • Video gallery
    • Magic book
    • Exhibition material
    • Services

    ESA > Our Activities > Human Spaceflight > Columbus

    Cut-away view of the Columbus Laboratory

    European Columbus laboratory

    Research laboratory which is permanantly attached to the International Space Station and provides internal payload accommodation for experiments in the field of multidisciplinary research into material science, fluid physics and life science. In addition, an external payload facility hosts experiments and applications in the field of space science, Earth observation and technology.

    Dimensions  
    Total module length 6 871 mm
    Largest diameter 4 477 mm
    Total internal volume 75 m3
    Total volume of payload racks 25 m3

    Mass budget  
    Mass without payload 10 275 kg
    Launch mass 12 775 kg (2500 kg payload)
    Maximum payload mass 9 000 kg (maximum)
    Maximum on orbit mass 21 000 kg

    Flight Hardware
    Biolab, Fluid Science Laboratory, European Physiology Module, European Drawer Rack
    European Transport Carrier
    Data and mission computers Command/Measurement Units, High rate multiplexer, Mass Memory Unit
    Video Camera (2), and Monitor Audio system, Master Alarm Light panel (2), Fire extinguisher (2)
    Portable Breathing Apparatus (2), Inter Module Ventilation valves and fans
    Thermal Control System valves, Power Distribution Unit, Vital Telemetry Computer units
    Heat exchangers, Circulation Fan Assembly and External Payload Facility (4)
    External view of the Columbus Laboratory
    External view of the Columbus laboratory

    Launch configuration  
    Fluid Science Laboratory, European Physiology Module, Biolab, European Drawer Rack
    European Transportation Carrier
    Remaining racks will be installed while on orbit.
    Launch vehicle Space Shuttle Atlantis - STS-122
    Launch site Kennedy Space Center
    Launch date 7 February 2008

    On-orbit configuration  
    Payload accommodation Attached to Node 2 starboard docking port
    10 International Standard Payload Racks (ISPR) (max. 998 kg each)
    4 external payload facilities
    (max. 370 kg each)

    Environmental control  
    Supported crew 3
    Cabin temperature Between 16° and 27°C
    Air pressure Between 959 and 1013 hPa
    Heat rejection Up to 22 kW through moderate and low temperature cooling loops

    Main contractor
    EADS Space Transportations, leading a consortium of many sub-contractors

    Last update: 8 August 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!

    85
    facebook
    twitter
    reddit
    google plus
    digg
    tumbler
    digg
    blogger
    myspace
    • Columbus Mission
    • Columbus facilities
      • Biolab
        • European Drawer Rack (EDR)
          • European Physiology Modules (EPM)
            • European Transport Carrier (ETC)
              • Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL)
                • Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG)
                • External payloads
                  • European Technology Exposure Facility (EuTEF)
                    • SOLAR

    Connect with us

    • RSS
    • Youtube
    • Twitter
    • Flickr
    • Google Buzz
    • Subscribe
    • App Store
    • LATEST ARTICLES
    • · CryoSat hits land
    • · Ariane 5 completes seven launches …
    • · Measuring skull pressure without t…
    • · Malargüe station inauguration
    • · The solar wind is swirly
    • FAQ

    • Jobs at ESA

    • Site Map

    • Contacts

    • Terms and conditions