Shuttle crew delighted with mission results

July 15, 1997
Web posted at: 12:27 p.m. EDT (1627 GMT)

(CNN) -- "We're in the home stretch, there's no doubt about it," said Mission Scientist Michael Robinson Tuesday. The crew of the U.S. space shuttle Columbia is nearing the end of its 16-day mission and preparing for Thursday's landing at Kennedy Space Center.

The crew of seven has been working around the clock in two shifts to complete a $86 million program of scientific research.

The crew had set 197 small test fires as of Monday. "We saw some flame shapes that nobody had seen before," said NASA scientist Roger Crouch. He described the experiments as exciting, and said they had proven some theories.

Shuttle Commander Jim Halsell
... and why they are eager to return to Earth.
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...the health of the crew...
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Researchers say the data from the experiments could improve combustion processes on Earth, which would reduce air pollution.

"Things have been just great. I don't know how else to say it," said crew member Robinson. And although Columbia has enough supplies to stay in orbit an extra day, NASA officials said they were not considering extending the flight.

Reuters contributed to this report.

 

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