CAPE CANAVERAL - The space shuttle Columbia blasted off yesterday on a 16 or 17 day scientific mission with a crew of seven, including a French and a Canadian astronaut.
Carrying a European Spacelab in its cargo hold, Columbia will settle in an orbit 238km above the earth to conduct physiological and microgravity experiments. Columbia's mission could turn into the longest by a shuttle, with 17 days in orbit, if it is extended a day for extra on board research.
