STS-83 Columbia - April 4, 1997 - Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL)

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Space Shuttle Columbia Mission Preparations | STS-83

Dec 30, 2024
See the processing of the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-83) at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, leading up to the April 4, 1997 mission. This video covers vehicle preparations in the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF), stacking in the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and rollout to launch pad 39A.

STS-83 was a mission featuring the International Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL). The mission was cut short at 4 days due to a fuel cell issue and reflown as STS-94.

Columbia STS-83 Astronaut Crew:
Commander:  James Halsell
Pilot: Susan Still
Mission Specialist 1:  Janice Voss
Mission Specialist 2:  Michael Gernhardt
Mission Specialist 3:  Donald Thomas
Payload Specialist 1:  Roger Crouch
Payload Specialist 2:  Gregory Linteris

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DAY-1:  STS-83 Space Shuttle Countdown: External Tank Fueling Operations

Jan 1, 2025
This video covers the tanking portion of the countdown leading up to the T-3 hour mark. Footage includes the loading of the shuttle's external tank with cryogenic propellants—liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2). These supercooled liquids serve as the lifeblood of the shuttle’s main engines, propelling it into orbit. Also featured is the Ice Inspection Team, performing detailed assessments around the launch stack to ensure no ice formation or frost threatens the integrity of the vehicle during launch.

Part 1 of a 2 part video series of the full STS-83 countdown.

Columbia STS-83 Astronaut Crew:
Commander:  James Halsell
Pilot: Susan Still
Mission Specialist 1:  Janice Voss
Mission Specialist 2:  Michael Gernhardt
Mission Specialist 3:  Donald Thomas
Payload Specialist 1:  Roger Crouch
Payload Specialist 2:  Gregory Linteris

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DAY-1: 4-Hour Space Shuttle Launch Countdown & Liftoff | STS-83 | Space Shuttle Video Archive

Jan 2, 2025
Experience the countdown to liftoff in this rare 4-hour launch countdown video of the STS-83 Space Shuttle mission. The coverage begins at the T-3 hour mark with the crew suiting up in the Operations & Checkout building, culminating in the final countdown and liftoff of the Microgravity Science Laboratory (MSL) mission.

Columbia STS-83 Astronaut Crew:
Commander:  James Halsell
Pilot: Susan Still
Mission Specialist 1:  Janice Voss
Mission Specialist 2:  Michael Gernhardt
Mission Specialist 3:  Donald Thomas
Payload Specialist 1:  Roger Crouch
Payload Specialist 2:  Gregory Linteris