In the Footsteps of Columbus

John O’Sullivan BE, Dip Phys Sci, Dip PM, CEng MIEI, PMP, FSP, CMSE® studied Electrical Engineering at University College Cork. He has over 20 years’ experience in the automation and control sector delivering solutions to the life-science industry in Ireland. He is a Chartered Engineer with Engineers Ireland, a Project Management Professional with the Project Management Institute and a certified Functional Safety Professional. He has always had a fascination with aviation and space, leading him to gain his PPL in 2003 and to study Astronomy and Planetary Science with the Open University. Since 2010 he has been awarded a Certificate in Astronomy and Planetary Science and a Diploma in Physical Science by the OU, as well as a Diploma in Project Management from the Cork Institute of Technology. He lives in East Cork with his wife and daughter.

• Foreword.- Introduction.- Background.- European Space Agency.- International Space Station.- Space Shuttle.- Soyuz.- Astronauts.- Umberto Guidoni.- Claudie Hagniere.- Roberto Vittorio.- Phillipe Perrin.- Frank De Winne.- Pedro Duque.- Andre Kuipers.- Thomas Reiter.-  Christer Fuglesang.- Paulo Nespoli.- Hans Schlegel.- Leopold Eyharts.- Missions.- STS-100.-  Andromede.- Marco Polo.- STS-111.- Odissea.- Cervantes.- DELTA.- Eneide.- Astrolab / Expedition.- Celsius.- Esperia.- Columbus.- Columbus / Expedition.- Oasiss / Expedition 20/21.- Alisse.- Magisstra / Expedition 26/27.- DAMA.- Promisse / Expedition 30/31.- Conclusion.

"Each chapter contains a biography of the astronaut, the specific activities of the mission, and beautiful color photographs of the crew member and mission patches, and ends with a description of the current status of the astronaut. Though the book will interest space enthusiasts, it is essentially a catalog and time line of activities that are readily available in other sources. Summing Up: Recommended. All readers." (J. Z. Kiss, Choice, Vol. 54 (4), December, 2016) "European human spaceflight is the topic of this fine book and encyclopedia. ... This book should belong to the library (or notebook) of every space-enthusiast, space engineer or layman interested in European space exploration. It should be within easy reach to be consulted as often as possible - you always glean something new." (Joachim J. Kehr, Journal of Space Operations & Communicator, Vol. 13 (4), 2016)