STS-107 Crew Interviews: William McCool, Pilot

Abstract

STS-107 Pilot William McCool is seen during this preflight interview, where he gives a quick overview of the mission before answering questions about his inspiration to become an astronaut and his background. McCool outlines his role in the mission in general, and discusses the scientific experiments which comprise the primary payloads for the mission. He provides details on the following instruments and experiments: MEIDEX (Mediterranean Israeli Dust Experiment), BIOPACK (Bacterial Physiology and Virulence on Earth and in Microgravity) and SOLSE (Shuttle Ozone Limb Sounding Experiment). McCool talks about the new SPACEHAB research module which doubles the amount of space available for scientific research projects. He also mentions the training for the mission, the astronauts working in dual shifts on the shuttle, and the importance of international cooperation in planning the mission.