euesa1-7, Exercise 2: Spacelab and Columbus

Model answer:

Spacelab was a European laboratory, built under the 1973 agreement and led by Germany, that flew in the cargo bay of the American Space Shuttle. Its first flight was in 1983, with Ulf Merbold on board.

Columbus is Europe's laboratory on the International Space Station, launched in 2008 on an American Space Shuttle (check the date).

Both show the same pattern: Europe provides a module or laboratory while a partner provides the transport. Europe is a strong contributor to human spaceflight and not an independent operator.