space lab

Spacelab

    A major component of the Space Shuttle Program was Spacelab, primarily contributed by a consortium of European countries, and operated in conjunction with the United States and international partners.^[52] Supported by a modular system of pressurized modules, pallets, and systems, Spacelab missions executed on multidisciplinary science, orbital logistics, and international cooperation.^[52] Over 29 missions flew on subjects ranging from astronomy, microgravity, radar, and life sciences, to name a few.^[52] Spacelab hardware also supported missions such as Hubble (HST) servicing and space station resupply.^[52] STS-2 and STS-3 provided testing, and the first full mission was Spacelab-1 (STS-9) launched on November 28, 1983.^[ 

    Spacelab formally began in 1973, after a meeting in Brussels, Belgium, by European heads of state.^[31] Within the decade, Spacelab went into orbit and provided Europe and the United States with an orbital workshop and hardware system.^[31] International cooperation, science, and exploration were realized on Spacelab