COLUMBIA BEGINS THIRD DECADE IN SPACE WITH FEB. 28 LIFTOFF

NASANews@hq.nasa.gov
RELEASE: 02-29

America's first Space Shuttle, Columbia, will return to orbit fresh from two years of work that have left it safer and more capable than ever before.

Columbia is set to launch Feb. 28 at 6:48 a.m. EST on mission STS-109, pending review of data on the Space Shuttle's hydraulic pump attach bolts. The mission is dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the Hubble Space Telescope, the fourth such flight since the telescope's launch in 1990.

"Returning Columbia to orbit to improve the Hubble Space Telescope is a fitting start to what will be a busy and vital year in space." Said Space Shuttle Program Manager Ron Dittemore. "We have more spacewalks planned in the next 12 months than we have ever done in a single year. We are going to fly diverse missions, dedicated to satellite maintenance, research and Space Station assembly, showcasing capabilities unique in the world. The shuttle team has done a great job in preparing for this mission."

A maintenance and upgrade period completed last year installed a new "glass cockpit" in Columbia, increased its cargo capacity, strengthened its crew cabin and enhanced the protection of its cooling system from orbital debris.