braman, west germany, where essa, the european space agency will fly aboard space shuttle. >> in europe, we are well aware of the space activity taking place in russia and the united states. and we would like to participate in similar activities to benefit from the same technological advances. >> a physicist from the netherlands, a mission in payload specialist and a member of the european space agency. >> there has been a large interest in doing manned space activities. and back in '73, they decided to build a space laboratory which would be carried along in space with the american shuttle. about ten different countries, members of the european space agency, participated in the funding and development of this laboratory. germany being one of the bigger participants. it has insight, an atmosphere similar on earth. scientists will go up in this laboratory to do all kind of experiments in space. okay, houston columbia, we're reading you loud and clear. go ahead. >> roger, we got that done. let's see, joe, we have a minute. >> space shuttle will indeed be our work horse in space. with as m