The Columbia/STS87 completed the first reverse heads-up roll manoeuvre after launch from Kennedy Space Center on 19 November. Six minutes after launch at an altitude of 115km, the Columbia carried out a 20s, 180í reverse roll to a heads-up position. The manoeuvre will be required on all low-inclination launches to enable communication via a Tracking & Data Relay satellite, following the closure of a ground station.

Source: Flight International