ESA’s support centre for the Columbus space laboratory. Located in Oberpfaffenhofen, Germany, and operated by DLR, the Centre collects all data (engineering and scientific) from Columbus and ensures that astronauts work safely in that module. It also ensures that the payload’s facilities function properly by monitoring and controlling the module’s life-support systems and the power needed for various experiments. The Centre is also linked to the European Space Operations Centre as well as mission control centres in the US.