( dpa )- The long-awaited Columbus laboratory Monday began its trip out of Atlantis shuttle's cargo bay and toward the orbiting International Space Station, where it will be permanently attached within hours.
" Columbus has started its trip to the new world," said an unidentified voice on the NASA TV transmission of the movement.
A robotic arm being operated from inside the International Space Station grabbed Columbus by a special "handle" that had been attached by the two space walkers, Rex Walheim and Stanley Love, earlier in the day.
They were on hand next to Columbus until they confirmed that the robotic arm had taken control of the module.