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Columbia blasts off on science mission
Experiments with fire, farming on the agenda
April 4, 1997
Web posted at: 2:25 p.m. ESTCAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (CNN) -- The U.S. space shuttle Columbia soared from its Florida launch pad Friday in a dazzling afternoon takeoff that marked the start of a 16-day science mission.
Columbia lifted off about 2:20 p.m. EST from Kennedy Space Center after a minor technical problem delayed its scheduled 2 p.m. launch.
On board are three crews of astronauts -- one to fly the spaceship and two to conduct round-the-clock experiments that could make life easier for millions on Earth.
Once in orbit, the seven astronauts will conduct 33 planned experiments that are considered precursors for the future international space station.
"We're working to get the best science in 16 days in space," Columbia Commander Jim Halsell said before the launch. "It's exciting. It's payback time for everybody."
One series of experiments transforms the astronauts into orbiting farmers. They will grow plants with medicinal value that could help lead to eventual treatments for debilitating diseases. Among the crops will be spinach, clover, periwinkle and sage, Mission Specialist Don Thomas told CNN.
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Fire tests
Astronauts will also conduct dozens of experiments with fire to see how quickly flames spread in weightlessness in order to develop cleaner fuels and better firefighting techniques for both space and Earth.
The astronauts will set as many as 200 small fires in Columbia's laboratory, more than any previous shuttle flight. The actual flames, no more than 4 inches high, will be inside a closed, triple-layer chamber in the lab. Hot wires and various fuels will be used, including hydrogen, methanol and heptane.
"The recent experience on (Russian space station) Mir just heightens our concern that we understand this phenomenon both in space and on Earth," said Joel Kearns, manager of NASA's microgravity office.
In February, an accidental fire burned for 90 seconds, filling the Russian spacecraft with smoke, burning an oxygen production system and forcing the crew to wear oxygen masks. NASA Jerry Linenger, on board Mir since January, said he was stunned at how fast the smoke spread.
This is the third shuttle mission this year and the 83rd since Columbia made the first shuttle flight in 1981.
Rookie astronaut Susan Still will pilot the shuttle. Janice Voss is payload commander in charge of all the experiments. Both said they can't wait to reach space.
"The thing that makes it most exciting is all the experiments we have on board," Voss said.
Correspondent John Holliman contributed to this report.
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