ISS astronauts set new space lab

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-13-2008 08:35

Picture Report: Astronauts set up new Columbus lab

On the International Space Station, astronauts are rolling up their sleeves to get a new space lab up and running.

The European Space Agency Columbus laboratory module is seen inside the Space Shuttle Atlantis' cargo bay in this view from a camera aboard the International  Space Station and shown on NASA TV as the shuttle  approaches the space station for docking February 9, 2008. REUTERS/NASA

Crew members spent Tuesday morning hooking up power, fluid and data lines linking the new module to the station before French astronaut Leopold Eyharts briefly floated inside for the first time.

He says the lab appears to be in good shape.

Two American spacewalkers helped install Europe's shiny new two billion US dollar lab on Monday.

The astronauts shouted and cheered when the seven meter, 14-ton lab finally reached its docking port on the station.

The spacewalk lasted eight hours, one and a half hours longer than usual.

German astronaut, Hans Schlegel, was stuck inside the whole time. He was supposed to float outside to help with Columbus' hookup, but got sick after last week's lift-off and was replaced.

In this image taken from video provided by NASA TV,  the space shuttle Atlantis is seen after docking with the International Space Station, Saturday, Feb. 9,  2008. (AP Photo/NASA)

The last-minute switch in crew prompted NASA to delay Columbus' installation by a day and lengthen Atlantis' space station visit.

The European Space Agency has waited years to see Columbus fly.

The lab was supposed to go up in 1992 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the sailing of Christopher Columbus, but space station and then shuttle problems delayed everything.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei