A great day for Europe!


Lifting Columbus out of Shuttle payload bay
 
Lifting the European Columbus laboratory out of the Shuttle payload bay, prior to attachment to the International Space Station. Columbus was launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 7 February 2008.

Columbus installed during first STS-122 spacewalk
 
The European Columbus laboratory was installed during the first spacewalk of the STS-122 mission. NASA astronauts Stanley Love and Rex Walheim spent nearly 8 hours outside the International Space Station. Their tasks included preparation of the Columbus laboratory for transfer from Space Shuttle Atlantis' payload bay to the starboard side of the Station's Harmony module.

Columbus closes in on Harmony
 
Installation of the European Columbus laboratory on the starboard port of the Harmony module. Columbus was launched into orbit with Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission. Columbus was installed during the mission's first spacewalk on 11 February 2008.

Columbus is moved into position for installation
 
The European Columbus laboratory is moved into position for installation using the Station's robotic arm, Canadarm2. Columbus was installed on the starboard port of the Harmony module on 11 February 2008.

Columbus inside Atlantis' payload bay
 
A view of the European Columbus laboratory inside Atlantis' payload bay during the two day journey to the International Space Station. Columbus was installed on the starboard port of the Harmony module on 11 February 2008.

Schlegel and Walheim prepare EVA spacesuit
 
ESA astronauts Hans Schlegel and NASA astronaut Rex Walheim prepare an EVA spacesuit inside the International Space Station Airlock.

Schlegel and Walheim after arrival at ISS
 
ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel and NASA astronaut Rex Walheim inside the International Space Station shortly after arrival with Space Shuttle Atlantis on the STS-122 mission to deliver the European Columbus laboratory.

Eyharts enjoyed meal with crew
 
ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts enjoys a meal with the rest of the STS-122 crew inside Space Shuttle Atlantis' middeck. STS-122 delivered the European Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.

Eyharts and Melvin
 
ESA astronaut Leopold Eyharts and NASA astronaut Leland Melvin inside Space Shuttle Atlantis during flight day two activities for the STS-122 mission. The STS-122 mission delivered the European Columbus laboratory to the International Space Station.



Release date: 15 February 2008