- EADS SPACE delivers Columbus laboratory ESA
- Europe’s ISS module is set for launch in autumn 2007
- Ten payload racks of scientific experiments in zero gravity
Bremen, 2 May, 2006 - Europe’s contribution to the International Space Station (ISS), the Columbus laboratory, will be flown on a "Belgua" transport aircraft from Bremen Airport and delivered to the Kennedy Space Centre in the USA end of the month.
On Tuesday, May 2nd, representatives from space agencies around the world, scientific institutions, industry and politics, were joined by guest of honour the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, to bid farewell to the 13-ton space laboratory. Engineers at EADS SPACE Transportation have spent approximately 10 years developing and building Columbus for the European Space Agency (ESA) – on a programme worth €880 million. The multi-functional Columbus space laboratory is scheduled for launch in autumn 2007 on board a US Space Shuttle.
Ten payload racks of scientific experiments will enable scientists to conduct research in the fields of biotechnology, medicine, materials, fluid and life sciences as well as experiments within the framework of applied technology projects - which would be impossible with gravity on Earth.
Tom Enders and Noel Forgeard joint CEOs of EADS said: "The Columbus laboratory is the European key contribution to transatlantic and international cooperation in Space. Some 14 nations from all over the world are participating in the International Space Station ISS, which is a real global project and demonstrates the leadership role of our industry. As the systems leader for Columbus OF, EADS SPACE is a strong partner of ISS.”
François Auque, CEO of EADS SPACE said: “Columbus is a major achievement. Thanks to the commitment of the European Space Agency, Europe will now play a major part in humanity’s adventures in space. The next step will be the delivery of the Automated Transfer Vehicle – essential for re-supplying the ISS and keeping it in its proper orbit.”
Evert Dudok, President of EADS SPACE Transportation said: "With the delivery of Columbus to Kennedy Space Centre we’re drawing nearer to the point where the scientists can harvest what we - the engineers - have so far prepared for them. We here in Bremen are already prepared for the operational phase of Columbus."
In 1996, the European Space Agency ESA awarded a fixed-price contract to EADS SPACE Transportation to develop and integrate the complete Columbus laboratory system, Europe's major contribution to this multinational project. EADS SPACE Transportation supplied Columbus at a contractually agreed price of €880 million. Through subcontracts, EADS SPACE Transportation distributes more than 60% of this amount to partner companies and small and medium-sized companies all over Europe.
The concept of the Columbus module is based on the experience EADS SPACE Transportation gained in the development and construction of Spacelab - since the end of the 1970s. Spacelab flew 22 Space Shuttle missions and was in service until 1998.
Scientific equipment for Columbus
EADS SPACE Transportation’s Friedrichshafen site has been renowned for decades for its expertise in the development and construction of experiment facilities. Biolab was the first facility to be integrated into Columbus in Bremen. Biolab, designed and developed by EADS Astrium Toulouse as prime contractor, is a facility allowing experiments on cells, tissue cultures, micro-organisms, small plants and invertebrates. The European Drawer Rack experiment platform, the European Physiology Module (EPM - designed for human medicine projects) and the Fluid Science Lab (FSL) were also integrated at Bremen. FSL will allow experiments in the field of fluid physics. The Protein Crystallisation and Diagnostic Facility (PCDF), the Advanced Protein Crystallisation Facility (APCF) and the Cardiolab (CL) are also intended for use in the Columbus laboratory but will be integrated after docking with the International Space Station.
The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) on board Columbus monitors pressurisation, re-vitalizes the cabin-air, can detect fires and controls an air-conditioning system to adjust cabin-temperature and humidity.
EADS SPACE, a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, is dedicated to providing civil and defence space systems. In 2005, EADS SPACE had a turnover of €2.7 billion and 11,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain. It has three main subsidiaries: EADS SPACE Transportation, for launchers and orbital infrastructure, EADS Astrium for satellites and ground segment and EADS SPACE Services to develop and deliver satellite services.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defense and related services.
In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34,2 billion and employed a workforce of more than 113,000.
Contact for the media
EADS SPACE (FR), Rémi Roland + 33 1 42 24 27 34
EADS SPACE (UK), Jeremy Close +44 1 43 8 77 38 72
EADS SPACE (GER), Mathias Pikelj +49 162 29 49 666
http://www.space.eads.net
