KSC-96EC-0824 - STS-78 Payload Specialist Robert Brent Thirsk suits up 


STS-78 Payload Specialist Robert Brent Thirsk is donning his
launch/entry suit in the Operations and Checkout Building. A
representative of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Thirsk is one of
four spaceflight rookies flying on STS-78. He is a physician who also
has a master's degree in mechanical engineering. In a short while,
Thirsk and his six fellow crew members will depart the O&C and head
for Launch Pad 39B, where the Space Shuttle Columbia awaits liftoff
during a two-and-a-half hour launch window opening at 10:49 a.m. EDT,
June 20. STS-78 will be an extended duration flight during which
extensive research will be conducted in the Life and Microgravity
Spacelab (LMS) located in the payload bay.

 
                                               06/20/96