Shuttle Lifts Off, Schedules Updated Franklin Kite Test

Seven space shuttle astronauts blasted into orbit Thursday to attempt a Space Age version of Benjamin Franklin’s kite experiment--unreeling a satellite on the end of a 12.8-mile cord.

The shuttle Columbia, carrying an international crew, rose from its seaside pad at 12:18 p.m. PST. As the shuttle sliced through a hazy sky, Mission Control got a scare when a cockpit light came on, indicating engine trouble that could force the crew to abort the flight. But it proved to be a false alarm.

“Arrivederci, au revoir, auf Wiedersehen and adios,” shuttle commander Andrew Allen said before liftoff. “We’ll see you in a couple of weeks.”

On Saturday, in a risky maneuver, the crew will reel out the satellite to try to generate electricity from the half-ton metal ball and its slender cord as they sweep through Earth’s magnetic field at 5 miles per second.

The same U.S.-Italian experiment flopped four years ago; the tether jammed on the reel and the satellite got no farther than 840 feet from the shuttle, producing hardly any electricity.

All known problems--most notably a protruding bolt on the reel--have been fixed this time.

The engine scare Thursday came a few seconds into the flight. The caution light as well as a gauge indicated one of the three main engines wasn’t providing enough thrust. It turned out to be a faulty reading, and Mission Control assured the crew everything was fine after maybe half a minute of worry.