WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

Already on different schedules in anticipation of their upcoming space research flight, the seven crew members assigned to Space Shuttle Mission STS-73 gather for a meal in the Operations and Checkout Building. From left are Payload Commander Kathryn C. Thornton; Mission Specialist Michael E. Lopez-Alegria; Payload Specialists Albert Sacco Jr. and Fred W. Leslie; Mission Commander Kenneth D. Bowersox; Mission Specialist Catherine G. Coleman; and Pilot Kent V. Rominger. After receiving a weather briefing, they will don their launch/entry suits and depart for Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia is undergoing final preparations for liftoff during a launch window opening at 9:41 a.m. EDT, Oct. 7.