SCIENCE AND RESEARCH CAPABILITIES IN THE EUROPEAN MODULE COLUMBUS

摘要

The European module "Columbus", which has been attached to the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2008 during the Space Shuttle Flight STS-122 (1E mission) offers a vast variety of science capabilities. The general purpose of the Columbus as an element of the ISS is to serve as a laboratory for microgravity experiments in several science and technology disciplines. Inside the Columbus module there is place to accommodate ESA and International Partner payload racks. Additionally, outside the module another 4 payloads can be located in the called Columbus External Payload Facility. During the 1E mission four ESA payload racks were launched inside the module and two ESA external payloads were attached on the External Platform. Recently, additional payloads were installed inside Columbus as well as on the external platform. A description of the experimental facilities on board and outside Columbus is given. The effort to operate the Columbus laboratory is made through the Columbus Control Center (COL-CC) located at the premises of the German Space Operations Center (DLR-GSOC) in Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich, Germany.