Nov 1 1993
From The Space Library
Dr. David J. Larkin and team members from NASA's Lewis Research Center, Cleveland, Ohio, announced a new silicon carbide crystal growth process, called "site competition epitaxy," in a paper presented at the International Conference on Silicon Carbide and Related Materials in Washington, DC. The new growth process can be used to produce superior silicon carbide semiconductor electronic devices, which can withstand temperatures much higher than conventional semiconductors. (NASA Release 93-200)
The Space Shuttle Columbia landed smoothly at Edwards Air Force Base after 14 days in orbit, ending the Shuttle program's longest flight with a wealth of new data on weightlessness in humans. Columbia's mission was only the second in U.S. history totally devoted to medical research. The Shuttle logged 5.8 million miles and circled Earth 225 times during its journey, which began October 18. Columbia performed well but sustained damage to thermal barriers around engine heat shields and to its protective tiles. Both problems have occurred before and will continue to be investigated, a NASA spokesperson said.
Shortly after touchdown, Columbia's seven crew members were taken on stretchers to a base lab, where they were to undergo new tests before their bodies had time to readjust to Earth's gravity. The crew, including two physicians, a biochemist, and a veterinarian, conducted medical research during the mission. They pedaled bicycles, drew blood samples, dissected laboratory rats, and performed other tests in a self-contained space clinic. The tests were designed to provide new clues on how harmful effects of weightlessness can be counter-acted during long space voyages. The astronauts conducted more than 125 tests intended to help solve such medical riddles as why muscles weaken, hones soft-en, and red blood-cell production drops during lengthy space journeys. (USA Today, Oct 20/93, Oct 27/93, Nov 1/93, Nov 2/93; NY Tames, Oct 20/93, Oct 21/93, Oct 22/93, Oct 31/93, Nov 1/93, Nov 2/93; RTW, Oct 19/93; Oct 20/93, Oct 21/93, Oct 25/93, Oct 26/93, Oct 27/93, Oct 30/93, Oct 31 /93, Nov 1/93; UPI, Oct 19/93, Oct 20/93, Oct 21/93, Oct 25, Oct 27/93, Oct 31/93, Nov 1/93; AP, Oct 20/93, Oct 21/93, Oct 22/93, Oct 25/93, Oct 26/93, Oct 27/93, Nov 1/93, Nov 2/93; Antelope Valley Press, Oct 22/93; W Times, Oct 25/93; Reuters, Oct 23/93; W Post, Oct 31/93, Nov 1/93, Nov 2/93; B Sun, Oct 31/93, Nov 2/93; Phil Inq, Oct 31/93, Nov 2/93; LA limes, Nov 2/93)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30