To mark the European Columbus research laboratory's arrival at the International Space Station, an internet conference takes place today, 14 February 2008, between 15:00 and 16:30 CET and entitled "Columbus - Europe's place in the Universe". From 15:55, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will talk live with the astronauts on board the ISS. The ESA astronauts Léopold Eyharts and Hans Schlegel will report about the Columbus mission.
The conference held at the Federal Ministry for Economics and Technology in Berlin will be transmitted live via satellite from 15:00 onwards. After the live chat with the astronauts, Chancellor Angela Merkel will make a short speech at 16.15. The Minister for Economics and Technology Michael Glos, ESA Director-General Jean-Jacques Dordain, Chair of the DLR Executive Board Professor Johann-Dietrich Wörner and Astrium GmbH Director Evert Dudok will also attend.
Technical details