European astronaut returns to Earth
ESA astronaut Umberto Guidoni returned to Earth on 1 May, having been the first European astronaut to set foot on the International Space Station. Space Shuttle Endeavour with its seven crew members made a safe re-entry after an 11 day mission, which delivered and returned the European developed multi purpose pressurised logistics module (MPLM) and attached the station's new 17 metre Canadian robotic arm. 'It was a highly complicated and intensive task,' said Umberto Guidoni. 'I feel relieved that it all went so smoothly and very proud to have been the first astronaut to represent Europe on the Space Station.' Mr Guidoni took control of all logistical operations during the mission and oversaw the unloading of all experiments and equipment into the station. He spent nearly five years training for the trip to the station.