ESA - Columbus - Mission objectives

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Columbus facilities

Biolab European Drawer Rack (EDR)European Physiology Modules (EPM)European Transport Carrier (ETC)Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL)Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG)

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EUTEF SOLAR

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Mission objectives

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An overhead crane carries the European Columbus laboratory towards a work stand in the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The Columbus laboratory is ESA's biggest contribution to the International Space Station. Delivered to ESA by EADS SPACE Transportation on 2 May 2006, this laboratory will provide internal payload accommodation for various scientific experiments. The Columbus laboratory will be flown on a Space Shuttle to the ISS in the second half of 2007.

Credits: NASA

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The Columbus external facilities, Solar and EuTEF, have been transfered to the Shuttle's payload canister at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida. Solar and EuTEF are attached to an ICC-lite. The Columbus laboratory is seen in the canister in the background. The ICC-lite, with Solar and EuTEF, has since been placed inside Space Shuttle Atlantis' cargo bay together with the European Columbus laboratory. Atlantis is targeted for launch to the International Space Station on 6 December 2007. In orbit, once Columbus has been attached to the Station's Harmony module, Solar and EuTEF will be attached to the exterior of Columbus.

Credits: Carlo Gavazzi Space

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ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts with the European Columbus laboratory at NASA's Space Station Processing Facility (SSPF) at Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. Columbus is under preparation in the SSPF for launch into orbit with Space Shuttle Atlantis on flight STS-122. Eyharts will fly to the International Space Station onboard Atlantis where he will join the Expedition 16 crew.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja

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Preparations of the European Columbus laboratory took an important step on 16 October 2007 with the final closure of the module’s hatch ahead of the December launch to the International Space Station.

The European Columbus laboratory is the cornerstone of ESA’s contribution to the ISS and the first European laboratory dedicated to long-term research in space. Columbus will be carried into orbit in the cargo bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission, scheduled for launch on 6 December 2007.

Credits: ESA

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Europe's laboratory on the International Space Station

Last update: 23 July 2008