On February 7th, 2008, the European Space Agency reached a pivotal point for their space program with the help of NASA’s space shuttle Atlantis. After a delay according to ABC News, the space shuttle Atlantis was launched at 2:45 PM carrying a continental science lab, Columbus. This two-billion dollar space module will be the next installment to the International Space Station. This gives homage to Europe as an astronomical power because now the ESA for the first time will have a manned space craft in orbit around earth.
Rewind seven years and Atlantis was once again rendezvousing with the International Space Station to install NASA’s own science laboratory christened Destiny. The module is used for weightless experimentation according to NASA. Much of the research goes towards studying health, improving the quality of life, and preparing for possible missions to the Moon or Mars. Destiny is the United State’s primary research lab aboard the International Space Station.
In July of 2007, Nasa announced that the floating laboratory was going to increase in size. The space shuttle Discovery was sent with a freight of extra module to be connected to the International Space Station. The component was named Harmony and also has access points to connect the European and the future Japanese laboratories. Almost acting as a symbol of unity for the International Space Station.
Of course any success these science labs will have is due to the power generated in the station. The International Space Station absorbs solar energy from the stellar brilliance of the sun. As such, space shuttles like the Atlantis needed to equip the station with solar panels like those that were launched in June of 2007. These solar panels were installed starboard of the station. They are identical to the port panels, giving the International Space Station that Phoenix look as it glides over the planet.
What the future now holds for this powered space facility is Japan’s even larger science laboratory, the Japanese Experiment Module, also dubbed the Kibo. Like the ESA’s module, Kibo, meaning hope in Japanese, will be Japan’s first ever manned space craft to orbit the globe. The Kibo will have a vast array of scientific endeavors, ranging from biotechnology, communications research, to earth observation.
In conjunction with this, the Japanese Experiment Module will have six separate components. These sections to the laboratory will allow astronauts to perform micro-gravitational experiments, store experimental items, transport payloads in exposed vacuum using robotic arms, communicate with Tsukuba Space Center, and issue commands from a mission control room.
Yes it seems as though the US/Russian monopoly on space travel is coming to a close.
What is arising are the best of nations for this floating facility.
Brandi Dean. STS-117: Just Do It — Again. NASA
Brandi Dean. STS-120 to Deliver Harmony Node to ISS. NASA
Marcia Dunn. Shuttle Atlantis Blasts off After Lengthy Delay, Carrying Columbus Lab to Space Station. ABC News
Kibo Japanese Experiment Module. NASA
U.S. Destiny Laboratory. NASA
