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Ill-fated `Columbia` mission was 16-day laboratory in space
Washington, Feb 01: The `Columbia` space shuttle mission that ended in disaster today was a 16-day scientific odyssey combining the talents of 70 international scientists with the seven-astronaut crew on board, including Indian origin woman astronaut Kalpana Chawla.
Washington, Feb 01: The ‘Columbia’ space shuttle mission that ended in disaster today was a 16-day scientific odyssey combining the talents of 70 international scientists
with the seven-astronaut crew on board, including Indian origin woman astronaut Kalpana Chawla.
During the mission the shuttle became a 24-hour laboratory with its astronauts working alternative shifts in the "microgravity" environment of Earth's orbit.
Together they carried out uninterrupted experiments in space, life and physical sciences -- much of it for paying corporate sponsors.
They were carrying out their scientific work in collaboration with more than 70 scientists on the ground, according to NASA's website.
Areas of inquiry included the bone disease osteoperosis, kidney stones and other biological experiments, as well as advanced technology development.
Two of the scientific specialists on board to carry out research -- US navy captain David Brown, 46, and navy Commander Laurel Clark, 41 -- were qualified medical doctors.
Indian-American Kalpana Chawla, had earned a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Launched on January 16, the STS-107 mission was carried out at an altitude of 277 kms (173 miles) above the Earth's surface.
In the shuttle payload was a spacehab RDM research module and four tonnes of scientific equipment.
The mission commander was rick husband, 45, a veteran of one previous space flight in 1999. Former test pilot William Mccool, 40, was its pilot.
Bureau Report
During the mission the shuttle became a 24-hour laboratory with its astronauts working alternative shifts in the "microgravity" environment of Earth's orbit.
Together they carried out uninterrupted experiments in space, life and physical sciences -- much of it for paying corporate sponsors.
They were carrying out their scientific work in collaboration with more than 70 scientists on the ground, according to NASA's website.
Areas of inquiry included the bone disease osteoperosis, kidney stones and other biological experiments, as well as advanced technology development.
Two of the scientific specialists on board to carry out research -- US navy captain David Brown, 46, and navy Commander Laurel Clark, 41 -- were qualified medical doctors.
Indian-American Kalpana Chawla, had earned a doctorate in aeronautical engineering from the University of Colorado-Boulder.
Launched on January 16, the STS-107 mission was carried out at an altitude of 277 kms (173 miles) above the Earth's surface.
In the shuttle payload was a spacehab RDM research module and four tonnes of scientific equipment.
The mission commander was rick husband, 45, a veteran of one previous space flight in 1999. Former test pilot William Mccool, 40, was its pilot.
Bureau Report