Columbus hatch opened for first time
Columbus is currently being activated
The hatch to the European Columbus laboratory was opened for the first time at 15:08 CET today. ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts was the first to enter the newest addition to the International Space Station.
Wearing protective goggles and a facemask as a precaution against floating debris, Eyharts entered Columbus for partial ingress after ISS Commander Peggy Whitson opened the hatch.
Eyharts has started activating systems inside Columbus. ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel and Peggy Whitson are assisting Eyharts with tasks including the installation of power, data and fluid lines.
Official Columbus ingress is scheduled for 20:55 CET (19:55 UT).
Related links
- Columbus Mission
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus - Columbus Blog
SPECIALS/Columbus_Blog.html - Atlantis lifts off: the story in pictures
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/Atlantis_lifts_off_the_story_in_pictures - Schlegel completes first spacewalk
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/Schlegel_completes_first_spacewalk - Columbus installed in new home on ISS
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/Columbus_installed_in_new_home_on_ISS - Spacewalk underway to install Columbus
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/Spacewalk_underway_to_install_Columbus - Columbus laboratory arrives at Space Station
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/Columbus_laboratory_arrives_at_Space_Station - Europe’s Columbus laboratory leaves Earth
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/Europe_s_Columbus_laboratory_leaves_Earth - Columbus laboratory
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/Columbus_laboratory - International Space Station
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/International_Space_Station - Human Spaceflight and Exploration
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight - NASA Kennedy Space Center
http://www.ksc.nasa.gov - European Columbus laboratory is ready to launch
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Operations/European_Columbus_laboratory_is_ready_to_launch - ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts ready to make space history
http://www.esa.int/Our_Activities/Human_Spaceflight/Columbus/ESA_astronaut_Leopold_Eyharts_ready_to_make_space_history