Columbus: Launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis delayed

6 December 2007

The launch of space shuttle Atlantis has been officially cancelled, since one of four engine cutoff sensors gave false readings. The new launch date for mission STS-122 is currently targeted for 7 February 2008.

Space Shuttle Mission STS 122

STS-122 must wait a little longer

The launch of Space Shuttle Atlantis, planned for 22.31 CET on 6 December, and with it the Columbus Space Laboratory, has been postponed. More news, including a new launch time, will follow after a NASA press conference.

The 75 cubic-metre Columbus laboratory is Europe's biggest single contribution to the International Space Station. The 4.5-metre diameter cylindrical module is equipped with flexible reseach facilities that offer extensive science capabilities. The Columbus Control Centre will be based at DLR's Oberpfaffenhofen facility, near Munich.

Contact

Andreas Schütz
Spokesman
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt (DLR) - German Aerospace Center
Corporate Communications, Spokesman
Tel.: +49 2203 601-2474
Mobile: +49 171 3126466
Fax: +49 2203 601-3249

Dr. Volker Sobick
German Aerospace Center
Space Administration, Human Spaceflight, ISS and Exploration
Bonn-Oberkassel
Tel.: +49 228 447-495
Fax: +49 228 447-737

Shuttle Mission STS-122 with the Columbus European Laboratory in overview

Hans Schlegel – ein Deutscher auf dem Weg zur ISS

Alles unter Kontrolle - Columbus-Kontrollzentrum

Multimedia-Angebote zur Columbus-Mission: Live-Streams, Webcasts und Blogs

Interview mit ESA-Missionsdirektor Luettgens zur Startverschiebung (WindowsMedia) (9.23 MB)

Interview mit ESA-Missionsdirektor Luettgens zur Startverschiebung (RealMedia) (9.25 MB)

DLR-Podcast mit Hans Schlegel zur Columbus-Mission (10.09 MB)

Columbus

Columbus blog