ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, July 8, 1996 TAG: 9607080155
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA.
SOURCE: Associated Press
Columbia and its crew glided through an overcast sky Sunday to conclude a 7-million-mile, 17-day journey for medical science, the longest flight for any space shuttle.
Within an hour of touchdown, the four astronauts who had endured medical poking and prodding in orbit were in a clinic undergoing painful muscle biopsies and other follow-up tests.
NASA doctors wanted to examine the men before their bodies readapted to gravity, in hopes of benefiting future space travelers.
Commander Tom Henricks and his co-pilot had an easier post-landing task: taking part in a ceremony to salute runners carrying the Olympic torch through Kennedy Space Center.
The seven U.S., French and Canadian crew members had carried an Olympic torch in orbit - minus the flame, of course - as well as an Olympic banner. The torch was presented to Olympic organizers after the flight.
Columbia almost didn't land on time. Less than two hours before touchdown, a critical cooling line jammed, but the astronauts quickly managed to flush ice from the system.
During the shuttle's long descent toward Cape Canaveral, the astronauts broadcast the first live views of what a shuttle landing looks like from the cockpit.
The mission lasted 16 days, 21 hours, 48 minutes and 30 seconds, almost seven hours longer than the previous shuttle endurance record set last year by Endeavour.
LENGTH: Short : 38 linesby CNB