STS-78

{{Spaceflight crew

|terminology = Astronaut

|position1 = Commander

|crew1_up ={{Flagicon|USA}} Terence T. Henricks

|flights1_up = Fourth and last

|position2 = Pilot

|crew2_up ={{Flagicon|USA}} Kevin R. Kregel

|flights2_up = Second

|position3 = Mission Specialist 1

|crew3_up ={{Flagicon|USA}} Richard M. Linnehan

|flights3_up = First

|position4 = Mission Specialist 2
Flight Engineer

|crew4_up ={{Flagicon|USA}} Susan Helms

|flights4_up = Third

|position5 = Mission Specialist 3

|crew5_up ={{Flagicon|USA}} Charles E. Brady Jr.

|flights5_up = Only

|position6 = Payload Specialist 1

|crew6_up ={{Flagicon|FRA}} Jean-Jacques Favier

|flights6_up = Only

|agency6_up = CNES

|position7 = Payload Specialist 2

|crew7_up ={{Flagicon|CAN}} Robert Thirsk

|flights7_up = First

|agency7_up = CSA

}}

{{Spaceflight crew

|terminology = Astronaut

|position6 = Payload Specialist 1

|crew6_up ={{Flagicon|ESP}} Pedro Duque

|flights6_up = First

|agency6_up = ESA

|position7 = Payload Specialist 2

|crew7_up ={{Flagicon|ITA}} Luca Urbani

|flights7_up = First

|agency7_up = ASI

}}

• Research into the effects of long-duration spaceflight on human physiology in preparation for flights on the International Space Station.
• 22 life science and microgravity experiments using the Orbiter's pressurized Life & Microgravity Spacelab module (LM2).
• Tests into the use of the Orbiter's Reaction Control System jets to raise the altitude of orbiting satellites.

File:STS-78 Launch.jpg

During the 16-day, 21-hour mission, the crew of Columbia assisted in the preparations for the International Space Station by studying the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body in readiness for ISS Expeditions, and also carried out experiments similar to those now being carried out on the orbital station.

Following launch, Columbia climbed to an altitude of {{convert|278|km|mi|sp=us}} with an orbital inclination of 39° to the Earth's equator to allow the seven-member flight crew to maintain the same sleep rhythms they were accustomed to on Earth and to reduce vibrations and directional forces that could have affected on-board microgravity experiments.

Once in orbit, the crew entered the {{convert|40|ft|m}} long pressurized Spacelab module to commence over 40 science experiments to take place during the mission. Not only did these experiments make use of the module's laboratory, but also employed lockers in the middeck section of the orbiter. Thirteen of the experiments were dedicated to studying the effects of microgravity on the human body, whilst another six studied the behavior of fluids and metals in the almost weightless environment and the production of metallic alloys and protein crystals. The crew also carried out the first ever comprehensive study of sleep patterns in microgravity, research into bone and muscle loss in space, and in-flight fixes to problem hardware on the Bubble, Drop and Particle Unit (BDPU), designed to study fluid physics.

The mission also featured a test of a procedure that was later used during the second Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission to raise the telescope's altitude without damaging the satellite's solar arrays. During the test, Columbia's vernier Reaction Control System jets were gently pulsed to boost the Shuttle's altitude without jarring any of the mission payloads. The test was successful, and was later employed by Discovery during STS-82, and was used multiple times to boost the orbit of the ISS when docked with an orbiter.

Although the launch went without any issue, an issue was discovered with the solid rocket boosters (SRBs) following their disassembly in June post-recovery. Analysis showed worrying damage to the field joints which was likely caused by hot gases. Failure of booster seals on the lower sections of Space Shuttle Challenger's right SRB ultimately caused the orbiter to break up mid-flight in 1986.{{cite web|url=https://p4a.seas.gwu.edu/2019-Fall/challengerExplosion.html|title=A case study on turning data into information|website=EMSE6574: Fall 2019|publisher=George Washington University|last=Helveston|first=John Paul|date=Fall 2019|access-date=15 June 2024}}{{cite report|chapter-url=https://www.nasa.gov/history/rogersrep/v1ch4.htm|chapter=Chapter IV: The Cause of the Accident|title=Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident|website=National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)|access-date=15 June 2024|date=6 June 1986|author=Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident|author-link=Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident|location=Washington, D.C.}} This time the issue did not compromise astronaut safety because the hot gas path traveled through the engines' field joints but not their capture joint (containing the infamous "O-ring" seals). Despite there being no issue with safety, it did raise questions about a new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–mandated adhesive and cleaning fluid.{{Cite web |last=Evans |first=Ben |date=June 18, 2016 |title='Man, I'm Here': 20 Years Since the Record-Setting Mission of STS-78 (Part 1) |url=https://www.americaspace.com/2016/06/18/man-im-here-20-years-since-the-record-setting-mission-of-sts-78-part-1/ |access-date=15 June 2024 |website=AmericaSpace}}{{cite press release |title=NASA DELAYS LAUNCH OF SPACE SHUTTLE |date=12 July 1996 |publisher=NASA |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/1996/96-138.txt |last1=Braukus |first1=Michael |access-date=15 June 2024 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100223235229/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/1996/96-138.txt |archive-date=23 February 2010}}

Due to the issue, STS-79 which was meant to dock with the Space Station Mir and return astronaut Shannon Lucid, was delayed.{{cite web|url=https://www.nasa.gov/history/SP-4225/nasa2/nasa2.htm|title=NASA-2 Shannon Lucid: Enduring Qualities|website=Shuttle-Mir: The U.S. and Russia Share History's Highest Stage (CD-ROM edition)|publisher=NASA|access-date=15 June 2024|date=September 2001}} Options of returning Shannon on a Soyuz were considered,{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} but never followed through as the Shuttle was considered safe and able to return Shannon.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

{{Portal|Spaceflight}}

• List of human spaceflights
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• Outline of space science
• STS-80 (17 day 8 hour Shuttle mission)
• STS-67 (16 days 15 hour Shuttle mission)
• STS-73 (15 days 21 hours Shuttle mission)

• [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-78/mission-sts-78.html NASA mission summary] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513035515/https://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/sts-78/mission-sts-78.html |date=May 13, 2021 }}
• [http://www.nss.org/resources/library/shuttlevideos/shuttle78.htm STS-78 Video Highlights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120121182652/http://www.nss.org/resources/library/shuttlevideos/shuttle78.htm |date=January 21, 2012 }}

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Category:Spacecraft launched in 1996

STS-078