STS-62 Patch

STS-62 Patch Launch Highlights The launch originally set for March 3 was postponed at the T-11 hour mark due to predicted unfavorable weather in the KSC area. The countdown March 4 proceeded smoothly. The only deviation to normal operating procedures was a delay in deploying the solid rocket booster recovery ships because of high seas. Recovery ships left port on launch day, and recovered the boosters and their parachutes on March 6. Mission Highlights Primary payloads were U.S. Microgravity Payload-2 (USMP- 2) and Office of Aeronautics and Space Technology-2 (OAST- 2). USMP-2 included five experiments investigating materials processing and crystal growth in microgravity, while OAST-2 featured six experiments focusing on space technology and spaceflight. Both payloads were located in the payload bay, activated by crew and operated by teams on the ground. USMP-2 experiments received emphasis at beginning of flight; later in mission Columbia’s orbit lowered about 20 nautical miles to fac