The crew heads for the Astrovan and a ride to Launch Pad 39A for liftoff.

The STS-107 crew heads for the Astrovan and a ride to Launch Pad 39A for liftoff. In front, left to right, are Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla and Pilot William "Willie" McCool; behind them, left to right, are Payload Commander Michael Anderson, Mission Specialists David Brown and Laurel Clark, and Mission Commander Rick Husband. Ramon is the first astronaut from Israel to fly on a Shuttle. The 16-day mission is 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. Liftoff is scheduled for 10:39 a.m. EST.