Missions: STS-107 Debut of Research Double Module (RDM)

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The tragic loss of Columbia and the STS-107 crew shocked the nation. STS-107 was a scientific mission featuring the debut of the SPACEHAB Research Double Module (RDM) in which the crew worked on a variety of experiments over the course of sixteen days.

CREW:
Mission Commander: Rick Husband
Pilot: William "Willie" McCool
Payload Commander: Michael Anderson
Mission Specialist 1: David Brown
Mission Specialist 2: Kalpana Chawla
Mission Specialist 3: Michael Anderson (payload commander)
Mission Specialist 4: Laurel Clark
Payload Specialist 1: Ilan Ramon

LAUNCH INFO:
Date: Jan. 16, 2003
Time: 9:39 a.m. CST
Window: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Site: Kennedy Space Center, FL

SHUTTLE FLIGHT:
Orbiter: Columbia
Orbit Altitude: 150 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 39°
Mission Duration: 15 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes

LANDING INFO:
Columbia and crew lost during re-entry Feb. 1, 2003

PAYLOADS:
SPACEHAB-RDM Research Double Module (FU1/FU4)

Commercial Payload:
Advanced Respiratory Monitoring System
Closed Equilibrated Biological Aquatic System
U.S. Air Force Technology Demonstration Experiment
Commercial and Macromolecular Protein Crystal Growth
Combined Two-Phase-Loop Experiment
Quick External Science Tray
Space Technology and Research Students (STARS) Program
Star Navigation
Osteoporosis Experiment in Orbit
European Research In Space and Terrestrial Osteoporosis
Human Life Science Experiments

Physiology and Biochemistry Experiments Team (PhaAB-4)
Enhanced Orbiter Refrigeration Freezer (EOR/F)
Thermoelectric Holding Module (TEHM)
Orbiter Centrifuge
NASA/ESA Barter Payload:
Biopack Experiment
Facility for Absorption and Surface Tension
Advanced Protein Crystallization Facility
Biobox Experiment

NASA ISS RME Payload:
Vapor Compression Distillation Flight Experiment

NASA Code U Payload:
Combustion Module-2
Space Acceleration Measurement System - Free Flyer
Mechanics of Granular Materials
Bioreactor Development System-05
Ergometer Hardware
Human Life Science Experiments

Microbial Physiology Flight Experiments (MPFE)
Automated Microbial System (AMS)
SLEEP-3
Astroculture (Plant Growth Chamber)
Astroculture (Glovebox)
Commercial Protein Crystal Growth-PCF
Zeolite Crystal Growth-1
Fundamental Rodent Experiments Supporting Health-Two
Gravisensing and Response System
Biological Research in Canisters
Commercial ITA Biomedical Experiments

Columbia broke-up during reentry resulting in the tragic loss of the STS-107 crew and the orbiter. NASA, SPACEHAB, and members of the STARS Academy had prepared for STS-107 for over two years. This mission marked the debut of SPACEHAB's Research Double Module, with over 100 experiments onboard.

As the 113th shuttle mission and her 28th flight,Columbia had just celebrated the 20th anniversary of its maiden voyage. Columbia returned to service, fresh from a year and a half of maintenance and upgrades. More than 100 modifications and improvements were made to make Columbia ready for flight.

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