 This is Shuttle Launch Control at T-minus three hours, 29 minutes, 45 seconds and counting. Launch Complex 39 at the Kennedy Space Center. We are now in the final six hours of the countdown for the launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia on Mission STS-94. The countdown is being controlled from firing room one at the Launch Control Center, and we are on schedule for a liftoff at 1.50 p.m. eastern time this afternoon. And here now is the STS-94 flight crew, all assembled for breakfast. On the end, payload specialist Greg Lynn Tiris, followed by mission specialist Don Thomas, mission specialist Mike Gernhardt, MS3, our commander Jim Halsell, our pilot Susan Still, our payload commander Janice Foss, and payload specialist Dr. Roger Crouch. There's our commander Jim Halsell being assisted with his launch and entry suit, and our pilot Susan Still with her helmet on as if she's ready to go. And our payload commander, mission specialist number one Janice Foss. Crew will be heading out for the launch pad in about another 15 minutes. And then payload specialist Roger Crouch. Mission specialist number three, Mike Gernhardt. I'm sorry, number two, MS number two, Mike Gernhardt. And here is mission specialist Don Thomas, payload specialist Greg Lynn Tiris. And here we see our STS-94 astronauts now leaving the suit up room headed for the elevator. And here they come. On every space flight I've ever been on, I've always come back with the idea of, boy, you know, if I could do that again, I would do it differently. This is what I should have done. Or now that I know, now that I'm experienced, I'll do it differently next time. But instead of waiting years perhaps for the next flight opportunity to put those lessons into effect, my crew will get the opportunity to do it in just a matter of months. So it's just, it's a fantastic opportunity. This is shuttle launch control at T minus two hours, 19 minutes 55 seconds in counting. Where we see MS number two, Don Thomas, being assisted with his backpack and launch an entry suit. And he will be sitting in the aft center seat on the flight deck as our mission engineer. This is shuttle launch control at T minus two hours, 12 minutes in counting. Where we see payload commander Janice Fawce. We have just gotten a go forecast for RTLS and also a go observation. So we are go for launch at this time. Copy flight. Thank you. And we're ready for a recorder activation. And we'll put that in work. Launch right there. Manager. Go ahead. Jim, the M&T has no other issues. You're not cleared to launch. Copy that. And Columbia looks like we've got the weather lined up for this. So we're going to try and get you guys out of here. So have a good flight. And NPD, you're cleared to launch. All right, copy. Secret. Copy. Thank you, Jim. Engines are gimbling now. Steering check on the main engines. Expected air. Up to two hours. D-minus two minutes 15 seconds. D-minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6. Main engine start. 3, 2, 1, 0. And liftoff of Columbia with the Microgravity Science Laboratory, a research bridge to the International Space Station. Roger roll, Columbia. Houston is now controlling. Role maneuver is complete aboard Columbia. The orbiter is now in a heads down position on course for a 28 and a half degree, 160 nautical mile orbit. Now at 30 seconds, the three engines aboard the orbiter are then throttling down as the vehicle prepares to pass through the area of maximum dynamic pressure on the vehicle. Having just passed through that area of maximum dynamic pressure, the three engines are preparing to begin a throttle back up. Columbia, go with throttle up. Go with throttle up. One minute 20 seconds. The three liquid fueled engines are back at full throttle. Good fuel cells, electrical producing fuel cells aboard the orbiter and hydraulic systems all in good shape. Columbia is now traveling 1,900 miles per hour already downrange from the launch site, 11 and a half miles at an altitude of 18 miles. Standing by for burnout and separation of the twin solid rocket boosters which signals the end of first stage. SRB separation is confirmed two minutes 15 seconds into the flight. Columbia is now at an altitude of 31 miles downrange from the launch site, 35 miles. Columbia, performance is nominal. I'll give you a downlink flight deck and let me know if you have an image. Okay, we're looking at it now. About 30 seconds prior to liftoff if I've got it queued up correctly. We know that Bob Cabana and the NTA guys and the weather cap comp and the weather flight director and everybody had been working the weather real hard and the launch is just a lanyard in the foreground there from one of the checklists. We've tried to skew the camera slightly over to give a better view of Susan and Mike and Lightning's sound that you don't get in the simulator. It's a little bit different here in the real vehicle. And then as you go through Mexico on the other side, the wind noise starts to die down. You might be able to see the lighting is diminishing as we get up into the darker skies. It's not nearly as rough as it was when we first came off. The vibration of all the bodies just how smooth they get to the second stage. It's just incredibly smooth. It's still zero G and still feels great to be up. We sure appreciate all the hard work that went into the quick turnaround and the work by the NTA to get us up here. Well, I'm Houston Janice and Roger. Welcome back to Space Lab. Mike, it's good to be back.