'Not Going Anywhere': Remembering Columbia's (Almost) Abort, 25 Years On

By Ben Evans, on February 22nd, 2021

25yrs ago today, shuttle Columbia faced a possibly emergency, only seconds after liftoff. For STS-75 CDR Andy Allen, it was like a bad run in the simulator. […]

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'Exploring Space as a Planet': 15 Years Since STS-100 Shook Hands at the Space Station (Part 2)

By Ben Evans, on April 17th, 2016

The multi-national STS-100 crew comprised, in orange suits, from left, Yuri Lonchakov, Kent Rominger, Umberto Guidoni, Jeff Ashby, and John Phillips, and in white EVA suits Scott Parazynski (left) and Chris Hadfield. Photo Credit: NASA, via Joachim Becker/SpaceFacts.de

When NASA and its worldwide partners began assembling the International Space Station (ISS) in low-Earth […]

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'Nice Round Number': 15 Years Since STS-100 Shook Hands at the Space Station (Part 1)

By Ben Evans, on April 16th, 2016

15 years ago, this month, Canadarm2 was installed at the International Space Station (ISS). Shuttle mission STS-100 marked the first occasion that as many as four discrete nations had been represented on a single flight and saw Chris Hadfield become Canada’s first spacewalker. Photo Credit: NASA, via Joachim Becker/SpaceFacts.de

Within the last month, […]

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'Broken at the Boom': 20 Years Since STS-75 (Part 2)

By Ben Evans, on March 6th, 2016

Spectacular view of Columbia’s payload bay and aft compartment, during STS-75. Photo Credit: NASA, via Joachim Becker/SpaceFacts.de

Two decades ago, Space Shuttle Columbia rocketed into orbit carrying one of the most unusual experiments on record: the reflight of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS-1R). It was intended to demonstrate the “electrodynamics” of a conducting […]

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'A Little Adrenaline Rush': 20 Years Since STS-75 (Part 1)

By Ben Evans, on March 5th, 2016

The STS-75 crew pose for their official portrait. Seated are Pilot Scott “Doc” Horowitz, Commander Andy Allen, and Payload Commander Franklin Chang-Diaz, with Maurizo Cheli, Umberto Guidoni, Jeff Hoffman, and Claude Nicollier standing. Photo Credit: NASA

Twenty years ago, Space Shuttle Columbia rocketed into orbit carrying one of the most unusual experiments on […]

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'The Tether Is Broken': The Second Flight of the Tethered Satellite (Part 2)

By Ben Evans, on February 23rd, 2014

The Tethered Satellite System (TSS) begins its deployment from the payload bay mast on STS-75. Photo Credit: NASA

Eighteen years ago this week, Space Shuttle Columbia rocketed into orbit carrying one of the most unusual experiments on record: the reflight of the Tethered Satellite System (TSS-1R). Originally conceived by the late Professor Guiseppe […]

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'Rock Solid': The Second Flight of the Tethered Satellite (Part 1)

By Ben Evans, on February 22nd, 2014

Columbia thunders into orbit on 22 February 1996, 18 years ago today. Her launch sent hearts leaping into throats within seconds of liftoff. Photo Credit: NASA

Eighteen years ago today (22 February), Space Shuttle Columbia rocketed into orbit carrying one of the most unusual experiments on record: the Tethered Satellite System (TSS). Originally […]

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