Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla puts on her helmet during suit check part of launch preparations.

STS-107 Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla puts on her helmet during suit check, part of launch preparations. STS-107 is a mission devoted to research and will include more than 80 experiments that will study Earth and space science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and safety. The payload on Space Shuttle Columbia includes FREESTAR (Fast Reaction Experiments Enabling Science, Technology, Applications and Research) and the SHI Research Double Module (SHI/RDM), known as SPACEHAB. Experiments on the module range from material sciences to life sciences. Launch is scheduled for Jan. 16, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.