Columbia blasted off November 12, 1981 (STS-2) and returned two days later, becoming the first time a spacecraft has tone into space and returned twice. Her crew consisted of Commander Joe Engle and Pilot Richard Truly (who celebrates his 80th birthday today!). The mission was scheduled to last 5 days but one of the three fuel cells that produced electricity and drinking water failed so it was shortened to 2 days. NASA also cancelled the Canadarm tests but the crew stayed awake during the Loss-of-Signal (LOS) periods and tested the arm.
Richard Truly, born November 12, 1937 in Fayette, Mississippi, was the first person to be launched into space on his (43rd) birthday. He became the 8th administrator of NASA in May 1989.
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