The Spacelab system comprised two laboratory modules in short and long versions with airlocks and optical windows, a tunnel and five separate pallets, which could be mounted separate from the Spacelab and exposed experiments to the space environment.

Transfer of European Spacelab pallet containing components for Dextre

The Spacelab system was used on 25 Shuttle flights until 1998, when the laboratories were retired after in-orbit scientific work was transferred to the International Space Station.

Several pallets were recommissioned for use later in the 2000s, notably for deploying the 3485-kg Canadarm 'Dextre' on Shuttle mission STS-123 in March 2008.

Spacelab Pallet worked 'perfectly'

Claude Nicollier on Atlantis flight deck during Eureca deployment

"On STS-46, the Eureca deployment and Tethered Satellite operations were challenging, but could be completed with total success for Eureca, and at least partial success for the satellite 'on a leash' thanks to excellent teamwork within the multinational team," said Dr Nicollier.

He added that, "The Spacelab Pallet worked perfectly and provided the expected services to the Tethered Satellite System. Adding this very well-used pallet to the museum's collection will help educate future generations on the benefits of space science and exploration."

With the winding up of the Shuttle programme, the pallets will no longer be used, and this particular model was transferred to ESA by NASA under a long-term loan agreement.

The Swiss Museum of Transport agreed to take over the terms and conditions of the loan, which stipulates that the Pallet must be used for education and public display purposes.

About the Spacelab Pallet

Europe's first journey into the world of human spaceflight started in August 1973 when ESA's predecessor organisation ESRO and NASA signed a Memorandum of Understanding committing Europe to build a science laboratory for use with the Space Shuttle. Construction of Spacelab started in 1974 with ERNO (now part of EADS Astrium) as prime contractor. Major subcontractors included Matra (France), Aeritalia (Italy) and Dornier Systems (Germany). The Spacelab system comprised laboratory modules in short and long versions with airlocks and optical windows, a tunnel, the pallets and an igloo, as well as ground support equipment.

Spacelab included five external pallets for experiments to be carried out in vacuum, built by Hawker Siddeley Dynamics (then British Aerospace, now BAE Systems). The first set of Spacelab equipment was given to NASA free of charge by ESA in exchange for flight opportunities for European astronauts. A second module was bought from ERNO by NASA for its own use. This is now on display in the Bremenhalle exhibition in Bremen Airport, Germany.

The Spacelab elements were used on 25 shuttle flights, but were decommissioned in 1998 due to the shift of microgravity research from the Shuttle to the International Space Station. A Spacelab Pallet was recommissioned in 2002 for flight on STS-99, the Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (scientific instruments were mounted on the Pallet) and on later flights to transport equipment to and from the ISS. Canada's Dextre Special Purpose Dextrous Manipulator was launched on STS-123 in 2008.

The Pallet was a very versatile piece of equipment. It could carry 3 tonnes of payload, particularly large instruments, experiments requiring exposure to space, and instruments requiring a large field of view, such as telescopes and other optical devices.

The Pallet could be used in single configuration or stacked end-to-end in double or triple configurations, with up to five pallets configured in the Space Shuttle cargo bay.