N° 35–2007: The European Columbus space laboratory set to reach the International Space Station; follow the launch live

ESA’s Columbus laboratory is the most important European mission to the ISS to date and the cornerstone of Europe’s contribution to this international endeavour. Once Columbus is launched, assembled to the Space Station and verified, ESA will become an active partner in the operations and utilization of mankind’s only permanent outpost in space. As the first European laboratory devoted to long-term research in space, Columbus will further expand the science capabilities of the ISS. In its interior, the Columbus laboratory will provide accommodation for experiments in the field of multidisciplinary research into biology, physiology, material science, fluid physics, technology, life science and education. In addition, its external payload facility hosts experiments and applications in the field of space science, Earth observation and technology.

Columbus will be transported into Earth orbit in the Shuttle’s cargo bay, pre equipped with five internal rack. Two of its external experiment facilities will be stowed separately in the Shuttle’s cargo bay and attached to the outside of the laboratory module structure in orbit. German ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel will play a key role in two of the three spacewalks or EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity) scheduled for the mission. During the mission’s first EVA, Schlegel will help to install and power up the laboratory.

During his long duration stay on the ISS, Eyharts will play a key part in the installation, activation and in-orbit commissioning of Columbus and of its experimental facilities. Once in orbit, Columbus will be monitored from ESA’s Columbus Control Centre located within DLR’s German Space Operations Centre in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich.

Eyharts is also likely to be onboard ISS for the launch of Jules Verne, Europe’s first Automated Transfer Vehicle, an unmanned supply ship carrying cargo to the ISS, including food, air and water. Jules Verne ATV is scheduled for launch on an Ariane 5 launcher early next year. Eyharts will return to Earth at the end of Shuttle mission STS-123 (currently manifested for launch not earlier than 14 February 2008).

For the launch of this milestone mission, ESA and the German Space Agency, DLR, are organising a live video event at ESA’s Columbus Control Centre located in DLR/GSOC premises in Oberfaffenhofen (near Munich). Other local events will also be held at ESA’s establishments. ESA experts, and top representatives from national space agencies or organizations as well as industry representatives will be on hand for interviews. See accreditation from attached.

The launch and the whole mission can also be followed on the web at: www.esa.int/columbus. Media representatives wishing to follow the event at one of the locations listed below are requested to fill in the attached registration form and fax it back to the place of their choice.

For further information, please contact :
ESA Media Relations Office,
Communication Department
Tel: +33(0)1 53 69 7299
Fax: +33(0)1.53.69.7690

Launch of the Columbus mission – STS-122
Accreditation form
To be faxed back to the location of your choice (except for Germany where you will have to accredit on line at http://www.dlr.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4395)

First name: ___________________ Surname:___________________

Media: ____________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________

Tel:___________________________ Fax: ______________________

Mobile :_______________________ E-mail: ___________________

I will be attending the STS-122 launch at the following site:

[ ] Germany

Location: ESA Columbus Control Centre at DLR/GSOC
Oberpfaffenhofen
Address: Münchner Straße 20, 82234-Wessling, Germany
Opening hours: 16:00 – 23:30
Please accredit on line, until 3/12/2007, at:
http://www.dlr.de/desktopdefault.aspx/tabid-4395
For additional information, contact: Eva Hassel von Pock - Tel : +49-6151-902861

[ ] France

Location: ESA HQ
Address: 8/10, rue Mario Nikis – Paris 15, France
Opening hours: 21:30- 23:00
Contact: Bernhard Von Weyhe – Tel: +33 (0) 1 5369 7158, Fax: +33 (0)1 53 69 76 90

[ ] The Netherlands

Location: ESA/ESTEC Visitors’ Centre Space Expo
Address: Keplerlaan 3, Noordwijk, The Netherlands
Opening hours: 20:30- 23:30
Contact: Michel van Baal, Tel. + 31 71 565 3006, Fax + 31 71 565 5728

[ ] Italy

Location: ESA/ESRIN
Address: Via Galileo Galilei, Frascati (Rome), Italy
Opening hours: 19:30-23:00
Contact: Dieter Isakeit, Tel. +39 06 941 80 950, Fax. + 39 06 941 80 952

[ ] Spain

Location: Rectorado de la Universidad Politécnica de Madrid.
Salón Paraninfo
Address: C/ Ramiro de Maeztu, 7, Madrid
Opening hours: 20:00 – 23:00
Contact: Monica Oerke, Tel: + 34 91 813 13 27 / 84 / 00, Fax: + 34 91 813 11 39

For further information:

ESA - Media Relations Service

Tel: +33.(0)1.5369.7299

Fax: +33.(0)1.5369.7690