CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., March 6 -- Concerned about weather conditions over the weekend, NASA managers Wednesday turned down scientists' request for a second extension to shuttle Columbia's research flight and told the crew to prepare for a Friday homecoming. 'Friday looks like the most favorable weather we'll see for the next few days,' in Florida, said mission operations director Lee Briscoe. Landing at the Kennedy Space Center was scheduled for 7:19 a.m. EST. The shuttle has been in orbit since Feb. 22 for a test of a tethered satellite system and to conduct microgravity science experiments. The satellite got away from the shuttle when its 12.8-mile (20.7 kilometer) tether broke as it was being reeled out into space. NASA salvaged the mission by re-establishing communications links with the spacecraft and conducting an impromptu free-flier survey of electrical conditions in Earth's ionosphere. Columbia's seven-man crew, meanwhile, has been focused on a suite of materials science studies and other microgravity investigations, including a hands-on experiment with fire. Wednesday, the astronauts began an evaluation of the enclosed glovebox in Columbia's middeck, where the combustion experiments took place. On Thursday, the crew planned to pack gear and test the shuttle's landing systems. As Columbia soared 180 miles over the Kennedy Space Center Wednesday morning, commander Andrew Allen passed his regards along to the next shuttle commander, Kevin Chilton, who was aboard Atlantis at the launch pad for a practice countdown. Chilton and five astronauts, including veteran Shannon Lucid, are preparing for a March 21 blastoff and docking at the Mir space station, where Lucid is to spend five months.
'We know it's an exciting time to get strapped into a vehicle down there -- especially when you're this close to launch,' radioed Allen to Chilton, via UHF radio link. 'Our best wishes to you and all the crew and especially say hi to Shannon for us. We haven't seen her for a long time,' said Allen. Lucid, 53, returned Feb. 26 from a year-long training program in Russia. 'Have a good day there today,' added Allen. 'And when you get up here if you see anything we left, bring it home for us.'
