Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 Daily Science Update for
April 6, 1997Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 Daily Science Update for
April 6, 1997
April 6, 12:45 p.m. CDT Huntsville ,AL
The science equipment was up and running by Saturday evening, and several scientists were well into their experiment runs. Although the MSL-1 team faces the reality that the mission will end only a quarter of the way into its planned 16-day duration, it appears that all the science teams will collect some data and results.
"That was absolutely beautiful," said payload specialist Gregory Linteris as the first combustion experiment flamed out after it generated a magnificent flame for several seconds.
"The CM-1 (Combustion Module) team is ecstatic," Spacelab payload control in Huntsville radioed back.
Problems with a fuel cell aboard Space Shuttle orbiter Columbia have forced flight directors in Houston to decide to bring the shuttle home Tuesday. Science operations would end about a half day before landing because of the time needed to turn off Spacelab and its systems.
"Although the problem with the fuel cell is unfortunate, we're going to make sure we get the absolute most out of the time we'll have available. We will get some good science regardless of how much time we have left," said Mission Manager Teresa Vanhooser early Sunday morning.
Meanwhile, MSL scientists on Earth and the crew aboard Columbia ran the first experiments with a Japanese furnace that operated much as similar facilities will be aboard space station, a German furnace that levitates samples with electromagnets, an apparatus that has plastic beads to get the inside story on atoms, and the basics of how soot forms in a fire , among others.
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Author: David
Dooling
Curator: Bryan Walls
NASA Official: John M. Horack