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Europe’s first Spacelab module launched into space is seen in the payload bay of NASA’s space shuttle Columbia during the STS-9 mission in 1983.
(Image credit: NASA)
40 years ago this week, a legacy of European-built and operated space modules launched into space, marking a major turning point in space history. From the first launch of Spacelab to the International Space Station, and now the Artemis Gateway station set for the moon, all have a common heritage — hardware built in Europe.
“The industrial legacy of Spacelab is clear,” stated the European Space Agency (ESA) in a feature article published on its website on Tuesday (Nov. 28).
“The companies involved have changed names several times since the 1970s, but pressure shells are still being machined from space-grade aluminum-copper alloy 2219 in Turin, Italy in premises run today by Thales Alenia Space.”
Further integration work is today done in an Airbus Defense and Space facility in Bremen, Germany, the same halls that were used to bring together Spacelab four decades ago.
The I-Hab will serve as living quarters aboard the multi-module Gateway for crews of four for up to 30 days at a time. Read More
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