
Copyright ESA
Exactly one year ago today, the European Columbus laboratory arrived at its berth on the International Space Station, signalling the start of a new era for Europe in human spaceflight.
At 22:44 CET (21:44 UT) on 11 February 2008, NASA astronaut and ISS Commander Peggy Whitson initiated final capture of the newly delivered module. From that moment on, firmly attached to the right side of the Node 2 module, the European Columbus laboratory officially became a part of the International Space Station (ISS). Europe now had its first permanent human outpost in orbit.
Columbus closes in on Harmony
Columbus is manoeuvred towards its final location on the right side of Node 2 Orbital infrastructure
“Columbus provides ESA with its very own piece of orbital infrastructure. This allows us to perform our own ISS utilisation programme; it also gives Europe’s Astronaut Corps flight opportunities and it provides us with invaluable experience in the operation of a human spaceflight infrastructure,” explains Bernardo Patti, ESA ISS Programme Manager.
One day later, on 12 February 2008, the hatches between Columbus and the Space Station were opened and the crew entered the module for the first time in orbit. ESA astronauts Léopold Eyharts [...]