The European Space Agency's (ESA) Research Laboratory, called Columbus, is Europe's largest contribution to the ISS.

Columbus is a multi functional pressurized laboratory that is permanently attached to the starboard berthing port of Node 2. (Harmony). Columbus was delivered to the Station by Space Shuttle Atlantis on mission STS-122 (Flight 1E) on 7 February 2008 and installed by shuttle and station crews.

During its 10-year projected lifespan, Earth-based researchers, together with the ISS crew, will be able to conduct experiments in micro gravity both internally and externally. These include life sciences, materials science, fluid physics, as well as a number of technological applications.

Like the navigator from Genoa for whom it was named, Columbus is set for a long journey of exploration. During its ten year mission hundreds of explorers will be able to benefit from it.

References: European Space Agency,  Wikipedia

The Columbus laboratory has room for ten International Standard Payload Racks (ISPRs), eight situated in the side walls, and two in the ceiling area. Each rack is the size of a telephone booth and able to host its own autonomous and independent laboratory, complete with power and cooling systems, and video and data links back to researchers on Earth.

ESA has developed a range of payload racks, all tailored to squeeze the maximum amount of research from the minimum of space. These offer European scientists across a wide range of disciplines full access to a micro gravity environment that cannot be duplicated on Earth.

Columbus is fitted, at launch with five internal payload racks as follows:-

1. European Drawer Rack (EDR) - is a modular and flexible experiment carrier system for a large variety of scientific disciplines, providing basic accommodation and resources for experiment modules housed within standardised drawers and lockers.

2. European Physiology Modules Facility (EPM) - a set of experiments that will be used to investigate the effects of long-duration space flight on the human body. Experiment results will also contribute to an increased understanding of age-related bone loss, balance disorders and other ailments back on Earth.

3. Fluid Science Laboratory (FSL) - will accommodate experiments in the strange behavior of micro gravity liquids. These too, could bring far-reaching benefits on Earth: better ways to clean up oil spills, for example, and even improved manufacture of optical lenses.

4. European Transport Carrier (ETC) - accommodates items for transport and stowage. In orbit ETC will serve as a workbench and stowage facility.

5. Bio-lab - supports experiments on micro-organisms, cells and tissue cultures, and even small plants and small insects.

The Columbus laboratory consists of a pressurised cylindrical hull closed with welded end cones. To keep costs low and reliability high, Columbus shares its basic structure and life support systems with the Italian Space Agency's Multi-Purpose Logistics Modules (MPLM).

Columbus is a permanent component of the station.

MPLMs were designed to be carried in the U.S Space Shuttles and only attached temporarily to the station for un-loading and re-loading. Before the discontinuation of Shuttle flights one MPLM was refurbished and attached permanently to the station as the Permanent Multi Purpose Module [PMM].

The primary and internal secondary structures of Columbus are constructed from aluminum alloys. These layers are covered with a multi-layer insulation blanket for thermal stability and a further two tons of paneling constructed of an aluminium alloy together with a layer of Kevlar and Nextel to act as protection from space debris.

Columbus was built for the ESA by the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. (EADS) Space Transportation, leading a consortium of many sub-contractors.