NASA Rejects Extra Day for Columbia

NASA vetoed an extra day in space for Columbia’s astronauts because of concern over the weather for next week’s landing and the weak condition of the remaining baby rats on board. The decision means the space shuttle will return to Earth on Sunday, 16 days after lifting off on a voyage to study the brain. The astronauts, flight controllers and scientists had gone into the flight hoping for a 17th day of research. But 52 of the 96 baby rats launched aboard Columbia have died, and some of the survivors are weak. Scientists want the rats back as soon as possible for dissection.