In the Footsteps of Columbus

1. Missions

   1. Magisstra

      • John O’Sullivan

      Pages 306-324

   2. DAMA

      • John O’Sullivan

      Pages 325-337

   3. Promisse

      • John O’Sullivan

      Pages 338-368

2. Back Matter

   Pages 369-391

   PDF

The European Space Agency has a long history of human spaceflight, flying in space with both NASA and the Soviet/Russian space agencies over the years. This book tells the story of the ESA astronauts who have visited the International Space Station over its first decade and how they have lived on board, helped construct the space laboratory and performed valuable scientific experiments.


ESA has contributed the Columbus science laboratory as well as the Copula, the Leonardo PMM and the ATV supply ship to the station’s infrastructure but it is the human endeavor that captures the imagination. From brief visits to six month expeditions, from spacewalking to commanding the Earth’s only outpost in space, ESA astronauts have played a vital role in the international project.


Extensive use of color photographs from NASA and ESA depicting the experiments carried out, the phases of the ISS construction and the personal stories of the astronauts in space highlights the crucial European work on human spaceflight.

• ESA ISS Involvement
• European Astronauts
• European ISS Contribution
• European ISS Experiments
• European Spaceflight
• History of ESA Spaceflight
• History of ISS
• ISS Hardware
• ISS Missions
• NASA ESA Cooperation

“Each chapter contains a biography of the astronaut, the specific activities of the mission, and beautiful color photographs of the crew member and mission patches, and ends with a description of the current status of the astronaut. Though the book will interest space enthusiasts, it is essentially a catalog and time line of activities that are readily available in other sources. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers.” (J. Z. Kiss, Choice, Vol. 54 (4), December, 2016)

“In the Footsteps of Columbus will give you an overview rich in technical details about Europe’s role in the ISS … . best suited for future historians who will find it a useful reference as they dig deeper in the why and how, and not just the who and when, of Europe’s place in space.” (Jeff Foust, The Space Review, August, 2016) 

“European human spaceflight is the topic of this fine book and encyclopedia. … This book should belong to the library (or notebook) of every space-enthusiast, space engineer or layman interested in European space exploration. It should be within easy reach to be consulted as often as possible - you always glean something new.” (Joachim J. Kehr, Journal of Space Operations & Communicator, Vol. 13 (4), 2016)

• County Cork, Ireland

  John O'Sullivan

John O’Sullivan BE, Dip Phys Sci, Dip PM, CEng MIEI, PMP, FSP, CMSE® studied Electrical Engineering at University College Cork. He has over 20 years’ experience in the automation and control sector delivering solutions to the life-science industry in Ireland. He is a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland, a Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute and a certified Functional Safety Professional. He has always had a fascination with aviation and space, leading him to gain his PPL in 2003 and to study Astronomy and Planetary Science with the Open University. Since 2010 he has been awarded a Certificate in Astronomy and Planetary Science and a Diploma in Physical Science by the OU, as well as a Diploma in Project Management from the Cork Institute of Technology. 



He lives in East Cork with his wife and daughter.

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