Columbia is about 43 statute miles from the Spartan, separating a
few tenths of a mile with each orbit. A small engine firing later
tonight will keep Columbia at a distance of around 46 miles from
Spartan until it begins closing in tomorrow for the retrieval. The
crew will go to sleep at 4:46 a.m. Monday and awaken at 12:46 p.m.
The next Mission Control status report will be issued at 6
a.m. Monday.
Go to STS-87 Flight Day 6 Highlights: