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Scientists are running low on perishable specimens for space shuttle Columbia’s mission and starting to feel the stress of all the launch delays.
Columbia was due to blast off at 8:50 a.m. CDT Friday-the seventh launch attempt in three weeks. While there are enough fresh specimens for Friday, or even a Saturday launch if necessary, further delays could mean trouble. NASA expects a 40 percent chance of favorable weather this time around.
Columbia has been delayed a record-tying six times since the first launch attempt Sept. 28. Scientists say they now are especially short of protein crystals and cells and potato plants for shuttle experiments.
