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Columbus Laboratory Module Commissioned
A day after German ESA astronaut Hans Schlegel completed his first ever spacewalk outside the International Space Station, German Chancellor Angela Merkel placed an earth-to-space call to the ISS, praising the work of ESA astronauts and ISS crew. The occasion for the special live call on February 14 was the commissioning of Europe’s Columbus laboratory module as part of the ISS. “We are proud as Germans and Europeans that we could contribute to the ISS with Columbus,” Chancellor Merkel said in Berlin as the astronauts were shown on a large screen. “Europe now has a permanent basis for research in space.” Space shuttle Atlantis delivered the module to the ISS last week. Schlegel and ESA astronaut Léopold Eyharts of France, who are aboard the shuttle mission, were the first two to enter the module on February 12 after it was successfully attached. “I think it starts a new era now, the volume of the European scientific module, Columbus, and the ISS are connected for many, many years of research in space in cooperation, internationally,” Schlegel said then.
Columbus will house 16 modular “racks” that provide electrical and data connections as well as automated laboratory tools and instruments for a variety of long term experiments that will largely explore the effects of zero gravity environments on living organisms and technology. A biology lab will provide a controlled environment for experiments involving cells, tissues and even small plants and animals, and a physiology lab will give astronauts the tools to perform tests on the respiratory, nervous and circulatory systems. The Columbus Control Center at the German Aerospace Center facility in Oberpfaffenhofen already is controlling all activities.
Schlegel conducted his spacewalk on February 13, along with NASA astronaut Rex Walheim, helping to replace a nitrogen tank used to pressurize the ISS’ ammonia cooling system and completing other routine tasks. Of course, he also took in an amazing view while working. “I realized that our Earth is nothing other than a big mother ship,” Schlegel said to Chancellor Merkel during the live call. “The colors are so soft, and I really hope that the images that we send down to Earth help the raise everybody’s conscience on how important it is to protect our Earth.” When the shuttle Atlantis undocks from the ISS on Monday, February 18, Schlegel will return to earth, while Eyharts will remain aboard the space station for approximately a month to monitor initial testing of Columbus.
February 14, 2008 Links
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