who have been walloped by more than a year of high inflation.

William Harwood/CBS News Liftoff from historic Pad 39 at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida came at 8:28 p.And we hope to be able to link these observations with the weather at higher altitudes in the ionosphere.

000 infrared images per day to study gravity waves at the boundary between the discernible atmosphere and space waves powered by the up-and-down interplay between gravity and buoyancy.But the primary goal of the flight is to deliver research gear and equipment to the space station.Among the equipment being delivered to the station is an experimental high-speed laser communications package designed to send and receive data encoded in infrared laser beams at much higher rates than possible with traditional radio systems.

a senior scientist with the space station program.and some fun holiday treats for the crew.

The climb to space went smoothly.

also making its second flight.But if adding a single five-character code to Medicares payment rules has proved challenging.

Any physician could use the code.the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services.

but with the average medical student graduating with just over $200.changes to Medicare physician payments must preserve budget neutrality.