Columbia's crew spent more than two weeks
in space, orbiting the earth at 17,500 mph (28,163
kph). In this time the astronauts carried out
more than 80 experiments, mainly into the effects of
microgravity on the human body in Spacehab, the shuttle's
onboard laboratory. The astronauts worked 24 hours a day, in
two alternating shifts. They also took time to record video
messages to their families.
