Flight STS-122 

With Space Shuttle Atlantis

Following the launch from the Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral in Florida, the Shuttle takes two days to rendezvous and dock with the ISS.

The Columbus laboratory is unbelted from the Shuttle’s cargo bay using Canada’s Space Station robotic arm (Canadarm 2) and mated to the starboard-side docking port of Node 2, the European-built ISS connecting module.

Once attached and powered up its payload rack facilities are moved from their launch configuration to their operational locations in the module.

Four space walks (EVA, extra-vehicular activities) are scheduled during this mission. 

• The first EVA is dedicated to Columbus installation and powering-up. 
• The second one is needed to install the Columbus external payloads.
• The third and fourth ones are devoted to various ISS maintenance tasks.