ESA’s Thomas Reiter is set to join the International Space Station for up to seven months. The 48-year-old German astronaut shares his thoughts on the view from space, living weightless, what astronauts do between missions and future human space travel.
ESApod audio programme

ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter will shortly being the first European long-term stay on the International Space Station. He will travel to the Station as part of a seven-strong Space Shuttle Discovery crew. The mission is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral, in Florida, on 1 July. During his mission, known as Astrolab, Reiter will join the existing two-man Expedition 13 crew and stay on board the Station for up to six months. During his stay Reiter will conduct a series of scientific and technological experiments in human physiology, microbiology, plasma and radiation physics. The experience gained by Europe during this mission will pave the day for the arrival of the European Columbus module.
ESApod video programme

ESApod reports directly from the Italian test range in Sardinia, where the Zefiro 23 second-stage rocket motor for Vega, Europe’s new launch vehicle for smaller payloads, was successfully tested.
ESApod video programme

ESA Project Scientist Hakan Svedhem on the first-ever clear views of a mysterious vortex taken during Venus Express’ initial capture orbit. The orbit was a not-to-be-repeated opportunity to image the hothouse planet in a wide field of view as Venus Express looped below the southern pole.
ESApod audio programme

In his weekly radio address President Bush said, “A line-item veto would give the President a way to insist on greater discipline in the budget. A line-item veto would reduce the incentive for Congress to spend wastefully because when lawmakers know their pet projects will be held up to public scrutiny, they will be less likely to suggest them in the first place. Most importantly, a line-item veto would benefit American taxpayers by ensuring greater respect for their hard-earned dollars.”