German-born Thomas Reiter, 48, will be one of Discovery's seven crewmembers when it makes its planned liftoff on July 1. And his presence goes beyond mere symbolism since the flight, in many ways, is key to the future of Europe's manned space program.

Reiter will be returning to space after a 10-year hiatus, having last served aboard Russia's now-defunct Mir space station.

"We are trying to use this for public interest, for consciousness that now things are continuing and progressing," said Reiter.

Reiter is set to become the first member of an International Space Station crew who is not from the United States or Russia, dominant partners in the 16-nation program.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has spent more than $6 billion on its Columbus research space module, which was built to link up with the station. But its launch, like many other components of the half-built station, has been on hold pending a successful return to flight of NASA's shuttles.

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