1992day.year
Space Shuttle Columbia launches on STS-50, the first shuttle mission to carry Extended Duration Orbiter hardware.
Space Shuttle Columbia embarked on STS-50, the first mission to test Extended Duration Orbiter hardware and extend crew mission time.
On June 25, 1992, Space Shuttle Columbia launched on mission STS-50, debuting the Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) hardware.
The mission's primary goal was to test life-support and thermal control upgrades designed to support longer-duration flights.
Columbia carried a multidisciplinary science payload, performing experiments in microgravity physics and material science.
Crew members also operated the United States Microgravity Laboratory, conducting research on fluid dynamics and combustion.
The successful 14-day mission demonstrated the shuttle's capability for extended operations in orbit.
STS-50 paved the way for future long-duration missions and contributed to preparations for space station assembly.
1992
Space Shuttle Columbia
STS-50
Extended Duration Orbiter