Europe and the International Space Station:Modules and Transports
EUROPE IN SPACE HISTORY ROCKETS SPACECRAFT ASTRONAUTS SPACE STATION ASTRONOMY EUROPE
The International Space Station (ISS), with contributions from 16 nations, is the largest and most complex international scientific project ever undertaken.
ISS December 12, 2002
The major partners and their space agencies are Russia (RSA), European Space Agency (ESA), the United States (NASA), Japan (NASDA), and Canada (CSA).
The Russian-built Zarya control module, the U.S.-built Unity connecting module, and Russia's Zvezda Service Module were the first three major pieces of the station sent to space.
Europe will contribute the Automated Transfer Vehicle (ATV) and the Columbus laboratory module to the ISS.
ESA's most significant contribution to the space station will be the Columbus science laboratory. It will allow astronauts to work on a wide variety of experiments in materials science, medicine, biology and technology that will lead to benefits in commercial processes that will enhance everyday life on Earth.
More information on Europe's role in the ISS
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