European utilization programme for the space station

The present paper reviews all European activities, since 1982, dedicated to the utilization of a Space Station System. Special emphasis is put on the ongoing Columbus utilization studies concerning the Pressurized Laboratory, the Polar Platform, the Enhanced Eureca and the Space Station itself as support of unpressurized experiments and payloads. The aim of these studies is given, as well as the model payloads on which the studies are based. In this context, the disciplines subject of investigations are: life sciences, material sciences, fluid physics, astronomy, solar terrestrial physics, earth observation, communications and navigation, new technologies. This paper also intends to inform the potential user of what he may expect as support, when and where.