ESA has its own compartment on ISS

The European Space Research Agency (ESA) is looking forward to launching the Columbus experiment space into space, from the role of a seasonal tenant to a full-time owner of an area.

Two ESA astronauts will fly on the space shuttle Atlantis to directly monitor the installation of Columbus on the ISS international space station.

The flight is scheduled to depart this Thursday morning, local time, from the Kennedy Space Airport in Florida. The two astronauts, the Germans - Hans Schlegel and the French - Leopold Eyharts, had once flown into the universe, but the last flight of a man was 14 years ago, and the other was 10 years ago.

"I am honored to join this flight" - Eyharts said, he will live about 2-3 months on the space station, conducting experiments in the Columbus Department. Schlegel will return to earth after about a week of space shuttle Atlantis, and with him "space station is a model for future cooperation".

"We look forward to the day of welcoming guests to visit". - Peggy Whitson, the commander said.

ESA is about to have its own compartment (Photo: Physorg)