Columbus Payload Facilities Ready for Launch

Paper number

IAC-07-B3.3.10

Author

Mr. Giuseppe Reibaldi, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Coauthor

Mr. Rosario Nasca, European Space Agency (ESA)/ESTEC, The Netherlands

Year

2007

Abstract

In the frame of the International Space Station (ISS) Programme, the European Space Agency (ESA) has developed several complex payload facilities to conduct scientific investigations in a variety of fields, such as life and physical science, technology as well as Space Science and Earth observation. 

In order to exploit the unique capability offered by the ISS in-orbit at 400 km of altitude, ESA will accommodate payloads either in the pressurised part of the Columbus Laboratory and outside the Laboratory with fields of view capable to support both observation of the cosmos and of the Earth. In order to accommodate external payloads, the European Space Agency (ESA), as part of its utilization activities has designed 4 locations (e.g. platforms) outside the Columbus Laboratory; this is called the Columbus External Payloads Facility (CEPF).

The paper will present the capabilities of the payload facilities accommodated in the ESA Columbus Laboratory. The launch is planned in November 2007 on-board the Space Shuttle Mission 1E.The payloads facilities ready for launch are: Biolab for biological research; Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) for fluid research; European Physiology Modules (EPM) for human physiology research and the European Drawer Rack (EDR) for technology, biology and physical science research experiments, the European Technology Experiment Facility (EuTEF) for technology research and the SOLAR facility for space science research. The possibility to cooperate with ESA in the exploitation of these payloads will also be indicated. 

Abstract document

IAC-07-B3.3.10.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-07-B3.3.10.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

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