Ceremony For The Completion Of The Columbus Laboratory
2 May 2006
The European Columbus laboratory, Europe’s most important contribution to the International Space Station (ISS), is ready for the next step in its journey into space. Joined by leading figures from the space industry, science and politics, German Chancellor Angela Merkel wished the laboratory a safe onward journey in a ceremony in Bremen, Germany.
At the end of May Columbus will be transported to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, United States. From there it will be flown on a Space Shuttle to dock with the ISS in the second half of 2007.
During its planned 10-year operational lifetime, Columbus, a multi-purpose science laboratory, will be used to conduct a vast programme of experiments in the areas of life and physical sciences, materials science, fundamental physics and technology research.
Viewed from the outside, the Columbus laboratory is a large cylinder, 4.5 metres in diameter and 8 metres in length. Inside Columbus are a series of ten experiment racks each of which can accommodate different types of science equipment.
Columbus was developed for ESA under the leadership of Prime Contractor EADS Space Transportation. Speaking at the event ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain expressed his gratitude for a job well done, "There are many companies who were involved. They have all done an excellent job and I would like to thank them for that today."
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