STS-73 was a Space Shuttle mission flown by Columbia. It launched on October 20, 1995 and returned on November 5, 1995.
The spacearchive.ai STS-73 collection brings together 20 records from the mission, including mission commentary, and launch coverage.
The collection preserves the footage, audio, and spoken word of the mission in one place, available for research and citation.
A working snapshot of what the collection holds today. The public catalog shows descriptive metadata; full media and transcripts are available through research access.
All records in this collection
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Launch coverage for STS-73 at T minus 1 hour 26 minutes, highlighting the countdown window opening at 9:50 AM. The recording captures the crew's preparations, including Commander Ken Bowersox and Pilot Kent Rominger, both making their first flight together. Weather conditions are discussed, with a 60% chance of rain impacting the launch, and the countdown proceeds smoothly with no technical issues reported.
Launch coverage for STS-73 at T minus 40 minutes, detailing the countdown window opening at 9:50 AM. The recording captures a hold at T minus 20 minutes due to weather concerns, followed by a successful liftoff at T minus 1 minute and 4 seconds. Key milestones include solid rocket booster separation and main engine cutoff, with a notable off-nominal moment involving a cooling issue with auxiliary power unit number three during ascent.
This recording features on-orbit mission commentary during STS-73, highlighting Payload Commander Kathy Thornton's successful deployment of a liquid drop in the Drop Physics Module, a first for this mission. Additionally, Dr. Albert Sacco conducts a material science investigation involving the mixing of aluminum and cylinder-based solutions in the glove box. The crew also experiences a temporary loss of communication with Mission Control, which is resolved without impact to the mission.
This recording features on-orbit mission commentary during STS-73, highlighting Commander Ken Bowersox's successful opening of the port payload bay door at 8:43 AM for a wastewater dump, a routine housekeeping task. Additionally, Kathy Thornton conducts a surface tension-driven convection experiment, adjusting parameters to study fluid behavior, while Al Sacco operates the glovebox for protein crystal growth. The crew also discusses the growth of potato tubers, marking progress in their astroculture experiment.
This recording features on-orbit mission commentary during STS-73, highlighting Kathy Thornton's preparation for the surface tension experiment and Al Sacco's ongoing work with protein crystal growth. Notably, the crew utilizes the new Hipack digital TV system to transmit multiple video feeds simultaneously, a first for this mission. Additionally, the crew discusses the deployment of a 4cc drop in the DROP Physics Module, with Ken Bowersox monitoring the geophysical Fluid Flow Cell experiment.
This recording features on-orbit mission commentary during STS-73, highlighting Payload Specialist Al Sacco's work with the DROP Physics Module, where he examines fluid properties in microgravity. Notably, Kathy Thornton conducts a combustion experiment in the glove box, successfully lighting a flame to study its behavior in space. The crew also engages in interactive science lessons with students on Earth, marking a unique educational outreach effort during the mission.
This recording features on-orbit mission commentary during STS-73, highlighting the encapsulation study in the Drop Physics Module, where crew members observe the interaction of a copolymer system with a buffered saline solution. Additionally, Dr. Ted Tibbetts discusses the astroculture experiment involving potato leaves, which are expected to produce tubers, and the crew utilizes the new Hipack digital TV system for video downlinking. Notably, the crew experiences a temporary loss of communication with Mission Control during the mission.
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