spacetoday.net: Shuttle mission continues despite cooling glitch

Posted: Thu, Jan 23, 2003, 7:43 AM ET (1243 GMT)
STS-107 patch (NASA)

The crew of the space shuttle Columbia is continuing work on a wide variety of science experiments despite a problem in a cooling system that has made the cabin warmer than normal. Earlier this week problems with the cooling system in the Spacehab module in Columbia's cargo bay forced the crew to shut it down, raising temperatures in the module where experiments are being performed from 22 to as high as 29 degrees Celsius. NASA officials now say that the temperature and humidity levels of the module are being effectively managed by routing cooler air from the main cabin of the shuttle. The cooling problem has had little effect on the scientific work being performed during the flight, as astronauts work on projects ranging from observations of dust and lightning storms to collecting samples of oils from flowers grown in orbit to see if the effects of microgravity alter their fragrance.