Editing STS-9 (section)

== Shuttle processing ==
After ''Columbia's'' return from [[STS-5]] in November 1982, it received several modifications and changes in preparation for STS-9. Most of these changes were intended to support the Spacelab module and crew, such as the addition of a tunnel connecting the Spacelab to the orbiter's airlock, and additional provisions for the mission's six crew members, such as a galley and sleeping bunks. ''Columbia'' also received the more powerful [[RS-25|Space Shuttle Main Engine]]s introduced with ''[[Space Shuttle Challenger|Challenger]]'', which were rated for 104% maximum thrust; its original main engines were later refurbished for use with ''[[Space Shuttle Atlantis|Atlantis]]'', which was still under construction at the time. Also added to the shuttle were higher capacity fuel cells and a [[Ku band|Ku-band]] antenna for use with the [[Tracking and Data Relay Satellite]] (TDRS).<ref name="presskit">{{cite web|title=STS-9 Press Kit|url=http://www.shuttlepresskit.com/STS-9/STS9.pdf|publisher=NASA|access-date=April 26, 2013}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The mission's original launch date of October 29, 1983, was scrubbed due to concerns with the exhaust nozzle on the right [[solid rocket booster]] (SRB). For the first time in the history of the shuttle program, the shuttle stack was rolled back to the [[Vehicle Assembly Building]] (VAB), where it was destacked and the orbiter returned to the [[Orbiter Processing Facility]] (OPF), while the suspect booster underwent repairs. The shuttle was restacked and returned to the launch pad on November 8, 1983.<ref name="presskit"/><ref>{{cite book|last=Lewis|first=Richard|title=The voyages of Columbia: the first true spaceship |year=1984|publisher=Columbia University Press|isbn=978-0-231-05924-4|pages=[https://archive.org/details/voyagesofcolumbi00lewi/page/204 204]|url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/voyagesofcolumbi00lewi/page/204}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Shuttle Rollbacks|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/rollbacks.html|publisher=NASA|access-date=April 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324161815/https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/news/rollbacks.html|archive-date=March 24, 2023|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>