MISSION: STS-83 -- Microgravity Science Laboratory-1 (image)

• VEHICLE: Columbia/OV-102 (image)
• LOCATION: orbit
• LAUNCH DATE/TIME: April 4 at 2:20:32 p.m. EST
• TARGET KSC LANDING DATE/TIME: April 20 at about 7:57 a.m. EDT
• MISSION DURATION: 15 days, 16 hours, 36 minutes
• ORBITAL ALTITUDE and INCLINATION: 160 nautical miles/28.45 degrees

NOTE: Columbia lifted off from Pad 39A today at 2:20 p.m. EST on a 16-day Microgravity Science Laboratory mission. Launch was delayed 20 minutes, 32 seconds due to an orbiter access hatch seal that had to be replaced.

Early this morning, loading of the external tank with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen was delayed by an hour as managers addressed a concern with fuel cell No. 2 which was reading higher than desirable voltages. Following fuel cell calibrations, managers determined that the cell was working properly and loading the external tank with the cryogenic propellants commenced with no additional concerns for the fuel cells.

Initial reports from Pad 39A indicate no significant damage resulting from the launch.

The solid rocket booster retrieval ships are on station with the boosters and will begin the process of preparing them for tow back to Cape Canaveral Air Station.

The crew of mission STS-83 are: Commander Jim Halsell; Pilot Susan Still; Mission Specialists Janice Voss, Michael Gernhardt and Donald Thomas; and Payload Specialists Roger Crouch and Greg Linteris.

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