Launch from Cape Canaveral (
KSC);
landing on Edwards
AFB. The launch was originally planned for October 14,
1993. Due to a computer failure this attempt was cancelled. The second attempt
one day later was cancelled again - this time due to a S-Band transponder
failure.
STS-58 marked the second Spacelab Life Science mission. The
crew performed life sciences research. The experiments focused on
cardiovascular, regulatory, neurovestibular and musculoskeletal systems of the
body. They made experiments on the crew and on laboratory animals (48 rats).
Crew members conducted experiments aimed at understanding bone tissue
loss and the effects of microgravity on sensory perception. Two neurovestibular
experiments investigating space motion sickness and perception changes were
performed on the 2nd day as well. Astronauts Shannon
Lucid and Martin
Fettman wore a headset, called an Accelerometer recording
Unit, designed to continually record head movements throughout the
day.
It was the longest shuttle mission to date.