The space shuttle Columbia soars 185 miles above the Earth Saturday, July 5, 1997, as seen in this image from NASA television. The astronauts aboard Columbia are in their fifth day in orbit of a planned 16-day science mission. AP Photo/NASA TV

Columbia's commander chats with Mir astronaut

Web posted July 6, 1997

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Space shuttle Columbia's skipper chatted briefly by ham radio Saturday with astronaut Michael Foale aboard Russia's battered space station Mir.

Commander James Halsell Jr. assured Mission Control that Foale is doing well. Foale and his two Russian crewmates have been struggling with a series of problems since a cargo ship rammed into the station on June 25.

``He sounds in fantastic spirits,'' Halsell said.

Columbia and Mir were passing within 150 miles of one another when contact was made - twice. Halsell said he was able to talk with Foale for only 30 to 45 seconds; at the same time, pilot Susan Still spotted the station through binoculars.

``It was just spectacular,'' Halsell said.

Mission Control kept Columbia's seven-member crew abreast of Mir's status and whereabouts, as well as Mars Pathfinder activity on the red planet.

The astronauts spent their fifth flight day setting more small, contained fires and conducting more metal and fluid experiments in Columbia's bus-size laboratory.

They're due back on July 17.

---

Home | Metro | Sports | Features | Business | Technology | Weather Classified | Comics | Kids | Interact | Television | Projects | Opinion | Calendar Search | What's New | FAQ | Znet | Archive | theWire