BBC News: Robot space truck docks with ISS (with video)

Europe’s space adventures are getting better and better. Our latest 1 billion Euro toy docked safely to the International Space Station. Well done ESA!

While some people regard this only as an oversized pizza delivery system, some ESA people already see it as Europe’s ticket to human space travel. So far ESA has to rely on the American or Russian rockets to deliver it’s Astronauts into space. It’s about time we get our own space taxi … especially since the Americans will focus on going back to the moon.

The Ariane 5 has shown it’s a reliable delivery system and capable to lifting satellites and supplies into outer space.

Hurray! The American STS-122 has successfully delivered the European Columbus module to the International Space Station. Another piece in the puzzle to our way to the conquest of outer space.

This is a long-term science module supposed to explore the effects of weightlessness for the next ten years. It is installed by  ESA astronauts Léopold Eyharts (France) and Hans Schlegel (a secret Teutonic Overlord) plus five Yankees.

You can read more on the mission blog here or watch some current transmission on NASA TV.

Isn’t it great to live in the 21st century? Remember the few and fuzzy images from the Moon landings? Now we have almost direct access / transmission from these space adventures.

More? Video of the takeoff, inflight video (heading to ISS) and flying over Japan.