STS-107 Mission Specialist Kalpana
Chawla puts on her helmet during suit check, part of launch
preparations. STS-107 is a mission devoted to research and will
include more than 80 experiments that will study Earth and space
science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and
safety. The payload on Space Shuttle Columbia includes FREESTAR (Fast
Reaction Experiments Enabling Science, Technology, Applications and
Research) and the SHI Research Double Module (SHI/RDM), known as
SPACEHAB. Experiments on the module range from material sciences to
life sciences. Launch is scheduled for Jan. 16, between 10 a.m. and 2
p.m.