NM22-416-017 (20 Sept. 1996) --- One of the first priorities of astronaut John E. Blaha, mission specialist for STS-79 and soon to be cosmonaut guest researcher for Mir-22, was to get his Sokol space suit pressure-checked for the move aboard Russia’s Mir Space Station. On flight day four, Blaha and his STS-79 crew mates aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with Mir. Here, seen soon after hatch opening, Blaha prepares for the needed suit tests.

STS79-E-5294 (23 September 1996) --- Left to right, cosmonaut Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Mir-22 flight engineer; astronaut John E. Blaha, cosmonaut guest researcher; and cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander, Mir-22 crew members in their final photo aboard Russia's Mir Space Station before bidding farewell to the STS-79 crew members, aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, during Flight Day 8. Soon after this Electronic Still Camera (ESC) view was recorded the STS-79 astronauts aboard Atlantis separated from the Mir.

STS081-369-003 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Traditional inflight crew portrait of the combined Mir-22 and STS-81 crews in the Base Block Module aboard Russia's Mir Space Station. Front row: left to right, Michael A. Baker, commander; John M. Grunsfeld, mission specialist; and cosmonaut Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Mir-22 flight engineer. Middle row: cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander; Marsha S. Ivins, mission specialist; and John E. Blaha, former cosmonaut guest researcher. Back row: Jerry M. Linenger, cosmonaut guest researcher; Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff, mission specialist; and Brent W. Jett, Jr., pilot. Linenger is seen in a Russian jump suit, and Blaha now wears a Space Shuttle inflight garment as the two exchanged cosmonaut guest researcher roles on January 14, 1997, following the docking of the Atlantis and the Mir complex.

STS081-301-031 (12-22 Jan 1997) --- Shortly after docking of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Russia's Mir Space Station, crew members from the respective spacecraft begin to transfer hardware from the Spacehab Double Module (DM) onto the Mir complex. Here, cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander, along with astronauts Michael A. Baker, commander, and Brent W. Jett, Jr., pilot, unstow a gyrodyne, device for attitude control, transfer to Mir.

STS081-301-032 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Shortly after the docking of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Russia's Mir Space Station, crewmembers from the respective spacecraft begin to transfer hardware from the Spacehab Double Module (DM) onto the Mir complex. In this scene, cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun (second left) Mir-22 commander, along with astronauts Michael A. Baker (second right) commander, and Brent W. Jett, Jr., pilot, unstow a gyrodyne, a device used for attitude control, for transfer to Mir. Astronaut Marsha S. Ivins looks over a lengthy inventory of supplies to be transferred.

STS081-350-013 (12-22 Jan 1997) --- Members of Mir-22 crew show appreciation for small flash lights brought up by the STS-81 crew. Left to right, new cosmonaut guest researcher Jerry M. Linenger, cosmonauts Valeri G. Korzun, mission commander, and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, flight engineer, along with former cosmonaut guest researcher John E. Blaha. The four are on the Base Block Module of Russia?s Mir Space Station on the eve of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Mir undocking day.

STS081-369-028 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- On the eve of undocking of the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Russia's Mir Space Station, astronaut Michael A. Baker (center), STS-81 mission commander, bids farewell to cosmonauts Aleksandr Y. Kaleri (left), Mir-22 flight engineer, and Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 mission commander. The three are in the Base Block Module of the Mir complex.

STS081-369-020 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Astronaut Marsha S. Ivins and two Mir-22 crewmembers stray from the conventional food fare as they open a box of chocolates on Russia's Mir Space Station's Base Block Module. Cosmonauts Aleksandr Y. Kaleri (left), flight engineer, and Valeri G. Korzun, share the treats.

STS079-353-023 (16-26 Sept. 1996) --- Cosmonaut Valeri Korzun, Mir-22 commander, is pictured near the camera rack on the Russian Mir Space Station's Base Block Module. The photograph was taken by astronaut Shannon W. Lucid. She later told an assembly of her Houston co-workers that she was able to experience the unique opportunity of serving with four different mission commanders in a span of approximately six months. Cosmonauts Korzun and Aleksandr Kaleri, flight engineer, had earlier welcomed astronaut John E. Blaha aboard Mir as Lucid's replacement as cosmonaut guest researcher.

S95-21471 (December 1995) --- Cosmonaut Gennadiy M. Manakov, Mir-22 commander

S95-21470 (December 1995) --- Cosmonaut Pavel V. Vinogradov, Mir 22 flight engineer

STS79-E-5180 (20 September 1996) --- The entire crews of STS-79 and Mir-22 are shown during a gift exchange ceremony aboard Russia's Mir Space Station's Base Block, during Flight Day 5. Front row, from the left, John E. Blaha, Jerome (Jay) Apt, Carl E. Walz, Thomas D. Akers, Shannon W. Lucid, William F. Readdy and Valeri G. Korzun. Back row: Terrence W. Wilcutt and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri.

STS081-E-05482 (16 Jan. 1997) --- Perhaps overwhelmed by a giant stock of supplies (out of frame, left), cosmonaut Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Mir-22 flight engineer, ponders what parcel to transfer next from the Spacehab Double Module (DM) to the Russian Mir Space Station complex. The photograph was recorded with an Electronic Still Camera (ESC) and later was downlinked to flight controllers in Houston, Texas.

NM22-427-012 (16-26 Sept. 1996) --- During off-duty time on the Spektr Module aboard the Earth-orbiting Mir Space Station, astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, cosmonaut guest researcher, retrieves a book from her personal library. Lucid, dropped off in March by the STS-76 crew members, was nearing the end of 188 consecutive days in space before returning to Earth with the STS-79 crew. She worked with a total of five cosmonauts at various times during that stay.

STS79-E-5289 (23 September 1996) --- Crew members of STS-79 and Mir-22 pose for final group portrait aboard Russia's Mir Space Station's Core Module before going separate ways in Earth-orbit, during Flight Day 8. Front row, left to right, are Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Jerome (Jay) Apt, William F. Readdy and Shannon W. Lucid. On the back row are, left to right, Thomas D. Akers, Carl E. Walz, Valeri G. Korzun and Terrence W. Wilcutt. Note Blaha, the new cosmonaut researcher for Mir-22, is now wearing the uniform of that crew and Lucid's garment is uniform with the STS-79 astronauts.

S96-13233 (July 1996) --- Cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun egresses a trainer at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Korzun is Mir-24 commander. EDITOR'S NOTE: Since this photograph was taken cosmonauts Korzun and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri were named to replace the original Mir-22 crew. Along with French spationaut Claudie desHayes, the two joined NASA astronaut Shannon W. Lucid onboard the Mir space station in August.

NM22-427-023 (20 Sept. 1996) --- This photograph of the space shuttle Atlantis was taken from approximately 170 feet away by astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, winding up her duties as cosmonaut guest researcher onboard Russia?s Mir Space Station. Lucid was in Mir?s Base Block Module. The Spacehab double module, a first time space flyer, is seen in the aft payload bay. Its tunnel can be seen connecting to both Atlantis? crew cabin and the androgynous docking adapter. Also seen in the forward bay is the Ku-band antenna used for communications. Though not recognizable in this photo, several Atlantis crew members had their ?noses to the windows? as NASA was about to make its first crew member exchange with Mir. Astronaut John E. Blaha was onboard Atlantis as Lucid?s replacement.

STS079-349-022 (16-26 Sept. 1996) --- The traditional inflight crew portrait, taken in Russia's Mir Space Station base block. Front row, left to right, Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Jerome (Jay) Apt, John E. Blaha, William F. Readdy and Shannon W. Lucid. Back row, left to right, Thomas D. Akers, Carl E. Walz, Valeri G. Korzun and Terrence W. Wilcutt. This photograph is one of fifteen 35mm frames (along with four 70mm frames) of still photography documenting the activities of NASA's STS-79 mission, which began with a September 16, 1996, liftoff from Launch Pad 39A the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and ended with a landing at KSC on September 26, 1996. Onboard for the launch were astronauts Readdy, commander; Wilcutt, pilot; Blaha, Apt, Akers and Walz, all mission specialists. On flight day 4, the crew docked with the Mir Space Station. Lucid, who had spent six months aboard Mir, switched cosmonaut guest researcher roles with Blaha. The latter joined fellow Mir-22 crewmembers Korzun, commander, and Kaleri, flight engineer.

STS079-350-028 (16-26 Sept. 1996) --- Aboard Russian Mir Space Station's Spektr Module, astronaut John E. Blaha, now a cosmonaut guest researcher, visits with Valeri G. Korzun, his mission commander for Mir-22. This photograph is one of fifteen 35mm frames (along with four 70mm frames) of still photography documenting the activities of NASA's STS-79 mission, which began with a Sept. 16, 1996, liftoff from Launch Pad 39A the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and ended with a landing at KSC on September 26, 1996. Onboard for the launch were astronauts William F. Readdy, commander; Terrence W. Wilcutt, pilot; Blaha, Jerome (Jay) Apt, Thomas D. Akers and Carl E. Walz, all mission specialists. On flight day 4, the crew docked with Mir. Shannon W. Lucid, who had spent six months aboard Mir, switched cosmonaut guest researcher roles with Blaha. The latter joined fellow Mir-22 crewmembers Korzun, and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, flight engineer.

STS081-E-05498 (16 Jan. 1997) --- Supplies and equipment transfer are the topic of the day, as the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Russia's Mir Space Station respective commanders have a discussion aboard the Orbiter. Left to right are cosmonauts Valeri G. Korzun and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Mir-22 commander and flight engineer respectively; along with astronaut Michael A. Baker, mission commander. The photograph was recorded with an Electronic Still Camera (ESC) and later was downlinked to flight controllers in Houston, Texas.

STS79-E-5090 (19 September 1996) --- Cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander, greets his American counterpart - astronaut William F. Readdy in the tunnel connecting the Space Shuttle Atlantis to Russia's Mir Space Station, during Flight Day 4. This mission marks the fourth such reunion involving astronauts and cosmonauts during the Shuttle era and the fifth overall, going back to the historic Apollo-Soyuz Test Project (ASTP) in 1975.

S95-21469 (December 1995) --- Astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, mission specialist, Mir 21/22 flight engineer, cosmonaut guest researcher. EDITOR'S NOTE: Astronaut Lucid will launch aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, STS-76 mission, to board the Russian Mir Space Station. After a long duration of cosmonaut guest research duties, she will return to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis STS-79 mission.

STS079-357-015 (20 Sept. 1996) --- Astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, in one her final opportunities to work with cosmonauts on her record stay in space, joins cosmonaut Aleksandr Kaleri in securing empty food trays to be moved from Russia's Mir Space Station to the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Cosmonaut Valeri Korzun, Mir-22 commander, is busy with other chores in the background.

STS79-E-5240 (21 September 1996) --- Cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun (left), Mir-22 commander, and astronaut John E. Blaha, cosmonaut guest researcher, share another mealtime on the Space Shuttle Atlantis' mid deck, during Flight Day 6.

STS79-E-5192 (21 September 1996) --- Astronaut Terrence W. Wilcutt, pilot, talks about shared chores with cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander on the Space Shuttle Atlantis' flight deck, during Flight Day 6.

STS79-E-5193 (21 September 1996) --- Astronaut Terrence W. Wilcutt, STS-79 pilot, and cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander, transfer the Contingency Water Container (CWC), during Flight Day 6.

STS081-357-020 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Astronaut Marsha S. Ivins, STS-81 mission specialist, compares notes with cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 mission commander. The two were involved with the transfer of supplies from the Space Shuttle Atlantis to Russia's Mir Space Station, during the docking mission.

STS081-E-05535 (17 Jan. 1997) --- Seven NASA astronauts and two Russian cosmonauts take a break from busy supply-transfer duties on the space shuttle Atlantis' middeck halfway through the ten-day mission. Left to right at bottom of the frame are mission specialists Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff, John E. Blaha, Marsha S. Ivins and cosmonaut Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Mir-22 flight engineer. In the top half of the scene are, from the top left, Brent W. Jett, Jr., pilot; John M. Grunsfeld, mission specialist; Jerry M. Linenger, cosmonaut guest researcher; Michael A. Baker, commander; and cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander. The picture was recorded with a pre-set 35mm Electronic Still Camera (ESC).

STS081-E-5424 (15 Jan. 1997) --- Left to right, cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 mission commander; and astronauts Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff (holding 70mm camera) and John E. Blaha are pictured soon after hatch opening. Blaha had just joined the NASA crew, having served as a cosmonaut guest researcher aboard Russia's Mir Space Station since mid September 1996. The photograph was taken with an Electronic Still Camera (ESC), which was used throughout the 10-day mission to downlink current photographs of the crews'joint ativities.

STS79-E-5202 (21 September 1996) --- From the left, astronaut and cosmonaut guest researcher Shannon W. Lucid, cosmonauts Aleksandr Y. Kaleri and Valeri G. Korzun, the Mir-22 crew members, share a meal on the Space Shuttle Atlantis' mid deck, during Flight Day 6. Lucid will bid farewell to the two cosmonauts when she comes back to Earth next week, onboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

STS79-E-5088 (19 September 1996) --- Left to right, Valeri G. Korzun, Thomas D. Akers and William F. Readdy discuss the agenda of their shared activities for the next few days, on Flight Day 4. Korzun and Readdy share common positions - that of commander - for the Mir-22 and STS-79 missions, respectively. Akers is a STS-79 mission specialist.

STS081-372-018 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- One of his first acts as cosmonaut guest researcher for Mir-22 sees Jerry M. Linenger (right) check out his orlan space suit on Russia's Mir Space Station Base Block Module. Cosmonaut Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 mission commander, and the second of four commanders Linenger will be sharing in-space time aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis and Mir, congratulates the recent addition to the crew.

STS79-E-5300 (23 September 1996) --- Astronaut William F. Readdy (foreground), STS-79 commander, bids farewell to Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Y. Kaleri (left in background), Mir-22 flight engineer, and Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 commander, just prior to hatch closing, during Flight Day 8. The Americans and Russians will undock the Space Shuttle Atlantis and the Russia's Mir Space Station later today.

STS081-368-011 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Astronaut Brent W. Jett, Jr., STS-81 pilot, appears restful and unfazed as Russia's Mir Space Station appears in the window over his shoulder on the Space Shuttle Atlantis' aft flight deck. Following docking of Mir and Atlantis, Jett and his crew mates went on to spend several days sharing experiments and supply-transfer with the Mir-22 crewmembers.

STS089-333-015 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- Onboard Russia's Mir Space Station, cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov, Mir-24 flight engineer, tries to find room for supplies transferred from the space shuttle Endeavour during supply transfer operations, while currently docked with Mir. Photo credit: NASA

STS081-343-014 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Oranges and grapefruit brought up from Earth get a popular reception by the Mir-22 crewmembers. Left to right astronauts Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff and John M. Grunsfeld, along with cosmonauts Aleksandr Y. Kaleri and Valeri G. Korzun, Mir-22 flight engineer and commander respectively, view the microgravity behavior of the seasonal gifts. Astronaut Michael A. Baker, mission commander, looks on at frame's right edge.

S96-13558 (26 Aug 1996) --- Cosmonaut Aleksandr Y. Kaleri, Mir-22 flight engineer.

STS076-708-038 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- The crew took this 70mm picture of Russia's Mir Space Station over Australia. The crew docked the Space Shuttle Atlantis with the Mir Space Station on March 23, 1996, at which time astronaut Shannon W. Lucid joined the Mir-21 crew to begin the first leg of her 140-day stay aboard Mir, as a cosmonaut guest researcher. The Spacehab Module shared the cargo bay during part of the mission with the Docking Module (DM). The DM was connected to Mir, following a March 23, 1996, docking. The DM was delivered last year to Mir by the STS-74 crew.

STS076-341-002 (22-31 March 1996)--- As astronaut Kevin P. Chilton looks on, cosmonaut Yury I. Onufrienko gives a thumbs up gesture, signifying successful docking operations between Russia's Mir Space Station and the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The Mir-21 and STS-76 commanders, respectively, earlier headed up the in-space effort which made possible the third link-up of Mir and Atlantis in Earth-orbit. With the delivery of astronaut Shannon W. Lucid to the Mir, the Mir-21 crew grew from two to three, as the mission specialist temporarily became a cosmonaut guest researcher. She is to spend approximately 140 days on Mir before returning to Earth.

STS089-364-022 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- Astronauts David A. Wolf, a new member of the STS-89 crew; and Andrew S. W. Thomas, a new member of the Mir-24 crew, check out the just-unstowed CoCult hardware, a Mir tissue experiment. Wolf will return aboard the space shuttle Endeavour after spending four months on the Russian Mir Space Station. Thomas is the final United States astronaut to serve as guest researcher aboard Mir. Photo credit: NASA

STS089-349-021 (22-31 Jan 1998) --- Cosmonaut Pavel Vinogradov, flight engineer for the Mir-24 crew, peers through the hatch, from the inside of the Russia?s Mir Space Station, at arriving Space Shuttle Endeavour members of the STS-89 crew prior to hatch opening. STS-89/Mir-24 marked the eighth of nine Shuttle/Mir dockings.

STS081-372-035 --- On Russia’s Mir Space Station Base Block Module, astronaut Jerry M. Linenger, is pictured soon after assuming duties as cosmonaut guest researcher. This was the first donning of his space suit for Mir-22 duties. Linenger replaced astronaut John E. Blaha in the Mir support role. He will be replaced by astronaut C. Michael Foale when the Atlantis re-docks with Mir in May of this year.

STS076-323-034 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- Astronaut Michael R. (Rich) Clifford, mission specialist, prepares to move a gyrodyne from the Space Shuttle Atlantis onto Russia's Mir Space Station. The gyrodyne was later installed in the Base Block Module onboard Mir.

STS79-E-5059 (19 September 1996) --- Astronaut John E. Blaha, soon to join the Mir-22 crew aboard Russia's Mir Space Station as a cosmonaut guest researcher, looks through the Space Shuttle Atlantis' aft flight deck windows toward his new temporary home, on Flight Day 4.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

The Space Shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Space Station Mir. Endeavour lifted off successfully at its scheduled time of 9:48:15 p.m. EST on Jan. 22 from Pad 39A. STS-89 is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

STS076-370-020 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- This photo of the forward part of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was taken from Russia's Mir Space Station as the two spacecraft jointly orbited Earth in late March 1996. The large rectangular object in the immediate foreground is one of the solar array panels for Mir. The two spacecraft were in the midst of their third link-up in Earth-orbit. With the subsequent delivery of astronaut Shannon W. Lucid to the Mir, the Mir-21 crew grew from two to three, as the mission specialist temporarily became a cosmonaut guest researcher. She is to spend approximately 140 days on Mir before returning to Earth.

Returning NASA astronaut and former Mir 22 crew member John E. Blaha (left), addresses the news media at the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Station as he and fellow STS-81 crew members prepare to depart for Johnson Space Center Jan. 23. The crew arrived at KSC aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis Jan. 22 to conclude the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission and return Blaha to Earth after four months in space. Behind Blaha is Mission Commander Michael A. Baker

STS089-S-010 (22 Jan. 1998) --- The space shuttle Endeavour heads toward its Earth-orbital destination to the Russian Mir Space Station. Endeavour lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at 9:48:15 p.m. (EST), Jan. 22, 1998. STS-89 represents the eighth docking mission with Mir (all previous such flights utilized the Atlantis). After the docking with Mir, Andrew S. W. Thomas, mission specialist, will transfer to the station, succeeding astronaut David A. Wolf as guest cosmonaut researcher. Wolf will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Thomas is expected to live and work on Mir until June 1998. Other astronauts onboard were Terrence W. Wilcutt, Joe F. Edwards Jr., Bonnie J. Dunbar, James F. Reilly, Michael P. Anderson and Salizhan S. Sharipov. Sharipov represents the Russian Space Agency (RSA). Photo credit: NASA

STS076-S-011 (22 March 1996) --- This wide view captures the nocturnal launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, as it heads toward Earth-orbit and an eventual docking with Russia?s Mir Space Station. Mir has been in space for ten years and a two-man crew (Mir-21) currently awaits the arrival of Atlantis. The on-time launch occurred at 3:13:04 a.m. (EST) on March 22, 1996. Onboard for STS-76 are astronauts Kevin P. Chilton, Richard A. Searfoss, Ronald M. Sega, Michael R. (Rich) Clifford, Linda M. Godwin and Shannon W. Lucid. Lucid will remain onboard Mir for just under five months? time, as a cosmonaut guest researcher. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS089-S-005 (22 Jan. 1998) --- The space shuttle Endeavour cuts a bright swath through the dark sky as it blazes a trail toward the Russian Mir Space Station. Endeavour lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at 9:48:15 p.m. (EST), Jan. 22, 1998. STS-89 represents the eighth docking mission with Mir (all previous such flights utilized the Atlantis). After the docking with Mir, Andrew S. W. Thomas, mission specialist, will transfer to the station, succeeding astronaut David A. Wolf as guest cosmonaut researcher. Wolf will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Thomas is expected to live and work on Mir until June 1998. Other crew members onboard were Terrence W. Wilcutt, Joe F. Edwards Jr., Bonnie J. Dunbar, James F. Reilly, Michael P. Anderson and Salizhan S. Sharipov. Sharipov represents the Russian Space Agency (RSA). Photo credit: NASA

STS076-S-009 (22 March 1996) --- From the Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Launch Pad 39B, the space shuttle Atlantis heads toward Earth orbit and an eventual docking with Russia's Mir Space Station. Mir has been in space for ten years and a two man crew (Mir-21) currently awaits the arrival of Atlantis. The on-time launch occurred at 3:13:04 a.m. (EST) on March 22, 1996. Onboard are astronauts Kevin P. Chilton, Richard A. Searfoss, Ronald M. Sega, Michael R. (Rich) Clifford, Linda M. Godwin and Shannon W. Lucid. Lucid will remain onboard Mir for just under five months' time, as a cosmonaut guest researcher. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS076-S-008 (22 March 1996) --- As represented in this fish-eye view from the Kennedy Space Center's (KSC) Launch Pad 39B, the space shuttle Atlantis heads toward Earth-orbit and an eventual docking with Russia's Mir Space Station. Mir has been in space for ten years and a two man crew (Mir-21) currently awaits the arrival of Atlantis. The on-time launch occurred at 3:13:04 a.m. (EST) on March 22, 1996. Onboard for STS-76 are astronauts Kevin P. Chilton, Richard A. Searfoss, Ronald M. Sega, Michael R. (Rich) Clifford, Linda M. Godwin and Shannon W. Lucid. Lucid will remain onboard Mir for just under five months time. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS089-370-034 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- Astronaut David A. Wolf, freshly removed from a long stay aboard Russia’s Mir Space Station, creates a sandwich onboard the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Endeavour. Wolf had earlier been replaced on Mir by Andrew S. W. Thomas, cosmonaut guest researcher, who will be last NASA astronaut assigned to Mir duty as part of the Phase I program. Photo credit: NASA

STS076-736-017 (22-31 March 1996) --- Southern Florida and the Atlantic coast form the backdrop for this picture showing most of the components of Russia's Mir Space Station. The photograph was taken from the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Mir and Atlantis docked on March 23, 1996, and separated on March 28, 1996. Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) are below one of Mir's solar array panels in the upper left quadrant of the frame.

STS089-338-032 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- The Mir-24 crew of Russia?s Mir Space Station and the space shuttle Endeavour STS-89 crew members work together to transfer supplies from the Spacehab Module onboard the Endeavour to Mir. Left to right are astronaut Andrew S. W. Thomas, new cosmonaut guest researcher; astronaut Joe F. Edwards Jr. pilot; and cosmonaut Salizhan S. Sharipov, mission specialist representing the Russian Space Agency (RSA). Photo credit: NASA

STS076-344-034 (22-31 March 1996) --- Cosmonaut Yury I. Onufrienko, commander for the Mir-21 mission, floats through the Base Block Module on Russia's Mir Space Station. The photograph was taken with a 35mm camera by one of the STS-76 Space Shuttle Atlantis crew members, aboard Mir for a brief visit following the delivery of astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, cosmonaut guest researcher, during the third docking mission.

STS089-386-013 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- Astronaut David A. Wolf, cosmonaut guest researcher, greets Terrence W. Wilcutt, STS-89 shuttle mission commander, and Bonnie J. Dunbar, payload commander, after hatch opening following Russia?s Mir Space Station's and the space shuttle Endeavour's docking. The greeting kicked off several days of joint activity between the NASA and Mir crew members, during the eighth shuttle/Mir docking mission. Photo credit: NASA

STS076-345-019 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- Onboard the Spacehab Module in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis, astronaut Richard A. Searfoss fetches a battery which is to be transferred to Russia's Mir Space Station. The pilot and his crew mates docked with Mir on March 23, 1996, and remained linked until March 28, 1996. At right is a stowed gyrodyne, which earlier had been replaced on Mir with a new one brought up from the ground by the STS-76 crew.

STS089-390-008 (22-31 Jan 1998) --- Astronauts David A. Wolf (right), newly a member of the Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-89 crew; and Andrew S. W. Thomas, his cosmonaut guest researcher replacement on the Russia?s Mir Space Station, Mir-24 crew, check out the CoCult hardware, a Mir tissue experiment. Wolf is holding a sample display from the hardware.

STS076-461-014 (22-31 March 1996) --- Cosmonaut Yury V. Usachev, Mir-21 flight engineer, reflects on his mission duties in his living quarters aboard Russia's Mir Space Station. His temporary out-the-window scenery is provided by the nose of the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which docked with Mir on March 23, 1996.

STS076-345-025 (22-31 March 1996) --- Joining her new cosmonaut crew mates, Shannon W. Lucid participates in an inventory of new food supplies in the Base Block Module of Russia's Mir Space Station. Yury I. Onufrienko, Mir-21 mission commander, is in the foreground; with Yury V. Usachev, flight engineer, pictured in the background. When this photo was taken, Mir was still docked with the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

STS081-S-010 (22 Jan. 1997) --- A drag chute is deployed as the Space Shuttle Atlantis rolls toward a wheels stopped mode on Runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to conclude the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission. Coming to a halt at 9:22:44 a.m. (EST), January 22, the mission also accomplished the return of astronaut John E. Blaha, cosmonaut guest researcher, who had been aboard Russia's Mir Space Station complex since mid September 1996. Blaha was replaced by Jerry M. Linenger during the five days of joint activities of the Mir-22 and STS-81 crew members while Atlantis and Mir were docked in Earth-orbit. At main gear touchdown, the mission's duration was 10 days, 4 hours and 55 minutes. This was the 34th space shuttle landing at KSC. The crew aboard at landing included astronauts Michael A. Baker, commander; Brent W. Jett, Jr., pilot; Blaha; and mission specialists Marsha S. Ivins, Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff and John M. Grunsfeld.

STS081-S-008 (22 Jan. 1997) --- The Space Shuttle Atlantis touches down on Runway 33 at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to conclude the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission. Coming to a halt at 9:22:44 a.m. (EST), January 22, the mission also accomplished the return of astronaut John E. Blaha, cosmonaut guest researcher, who had been aboard Russia's Mir Space Station complex since mid September 1996. Blaha was replaced by Jerry M. Linenger during the five days of joint activities of the Mir-22 and STS-81 crewmembers while Atlantis and Mir were docked in Earth-orbit. At main gear touchdown, the mission's duration was 10 days, 4 hours and 55 minutes. This was the 34th space shuttle landing at KSC. The crew aboard at landing included astronauts Michael A. Baker, commander; Brent W. Jett, Jr., pilot; Blaha; and mission specialists Marsha S. Ivins, Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff and John M. Grunsfeld.

STS076-461-010 (22-31 March 1996) --- The STS-76 crew took this 70mm picture of Russia's Mir-21 mission commander Yury I. Onufrienko using a video camera on the Base Block Module of Russia's Mir Space Station. The STS-76 crew docked the Space Shuttle Atlantis with the Mir Space Station on March 23, 1996, at which time astronaut Shannon W. Lucid (out of frame) joined Onufrienko and the mission's flight engineer, Yury V. Usachev, to begin the first leg of a 140-day stay aboard Mir, as a cosmonaut guest researcher.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour greets a very significant day for the youngest orbiter of the fleet as its Rotational Service Structure is rolled back on its scheduled day of launch. STS-89, slated for a 9:48 p.m. EST liftoff Jan. 22, is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

STS076-734-084 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- A clear scene of the Sinai Peninsula and the Nile River Delta forms the backdrop for this 70mm scene of Russia's Mir Space Station, as photographed from the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis docked with Mir on March 23, 1996, and remained linked until March 28, 1996. Astronaut Shannon W. Lucid transferred from the STS-76 crew to the Mir-21 crew, which grew from two to three. She will remain aboard Mir for approximately 140 days, as a cosmonaut guest researcher.

STS076-709-007 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- Earth's terminator forms the backdrop for this scene of Russia Mir Space Station's Soyuz and Kvant 2 Modules, as photographed from the aft flight deck of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Atlantis docked with the Mir Space Station on March 23, 1996, and remained linked until March 28, 1996. Astronaut Shannon W. Lucid transferred from the STS-76 crew to the Mir-21 crew, which grew from two to three. Lucid will remain aboard Mir for approximately 140 days.

STS79-E-5095 (19 September 1996) --- Soon after Russia's Mir Space Station and the Space Shuttle Atlantis were docked in Earth-orbit, hatchways were quickly and safely opened, making way for special reunions like the one between astronaut and cosmonaut guest researcher Shannon W. Lucid (still attired in her Mir-22 garment) and astronaut John E. Blaha near the tunnel connection to the Docking Module (DM) on Mir, during Flight Day 4. After spending 180 days aboard Mir, Lucid is with the astronaut who will replace her as cosmonaut guest researcher. The two have flown together on two previous Space Shuttle missions.

S89-E-5175 (24 Jan 1998) --- This Electronic Still Camera (ESC) image shows astronaut Bonnie J. Dunbar, payload commander, shortly after Shuttle/Mir docking activities began. "Deja-vu" may have come to the mind of Dunbar as she boarded Russia's Mir Space Station. Dunbar was a member of the STS-71 crew -- the first United States aggregation to visit Mir -- along with cosmonaut Anatoliy Y. Solovyev, Mir-24 commander. The ESC view was taken at 22:37:23 GMT, on January 24, 1998.

The Space Shuttle Endeavour greets a very significant day for the youngest orbiter of the fleet as its Rotational Service Structure is rolled back on its scheduled day of launch. STS-89, slated for a 9:48 p.m. EST liftoff Jan. 22, is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998. After docking with Mir, Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

STS076-461-004 (22-31 March 1996) --- Onboard the Base Block Module of Russia's Mir Space Station, astronauts Shannon W. Lucid and Ronald M. Sega, payload commander, discuss final activities between the STS-76 and Mir-21 crews as cosmonaut Yury I. Onufrienko (center) listens. Yury V. Usachev (out of frame) is Mir-21 flight engineer. The Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with Mir on March 23, 1996, and remained linked until March 28, 1996. Lucid was in the process of transferring from STS-76 to the Mir-21 crew, which thereby grew from two to three members. She will remain aboard Mir for approximately 140 days.

STS081-330-002 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- As seen from the Space Shuttle Atlantis, this 35mm frame affords a full view of Russia's Mir Space Station complex during approach for docking on Jan. 14, 1997.

STS079-335-025 (16-26 Sept. 1996) --- Astronaut Jerome (Jay) Apt, in the flight engineer's cabin aboard Russia's Mir Space Station, appears nose to nose with the space shuttle Atlantis as he peers through a viewing port at the forward section of the Orbiter while the two spacecraft were docked in Earth-orbit.

Members of the STS-81 crew prepare to depart for Johnson Space Center Jan. 23 from the Skid Strip at Cape Canaveral Air Station. The crew arrived at KSC aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis Jan. 22 to conclude the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission and return U. S. astronaut John E. Blaha to Earth after four months in space as member of the Mir 22 crew. On the left is Mission Specialist John M. Grunsfeld, with his daughter, Sarah, on his back. Also pictured are Mission Commander Michael A. Baker (center); Pilot Brent W. Jett (second from right); and Blaha

STS076-356-029 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- Astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, cosmonaut guest researcher, shows off a book which will occupy some of her off-duty time and that of her two Mir-21 crew mates aboard Russia's Mir Space Station during the next five months. Lucid was about to bid farewell to STS-76 crew mates Kevin P. Chilton (left), mission commander, and Ronald M. Sega, payload commander. The book was a gift from the STS-76 crew, given to the Mir-21 crew. This photograph was made onboard Mir's Base Block Module. After leaving Lucid to her duties onboard Mir, Chilton, Sega and three other astronauts later returned to Earth aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

STS076-401-009 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- This photo of the crew cabin of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was taken from Russia's Mir Space Station as the two spacecraft jointly orbited Earth in late March 1996. Earth's horizon and clouds over the Indian Ocean form part of the backdrop for the scene. The large rectangular object in the immediate foreground is one of the solar array panels for Mir. The two spacecraft were in the midst their third link-up in Earth-orbit. With the subsequent delivery of astronaut Shannon W. Lucid to the Mir, the Mir-21 crew grew from two to three, as the mission specialist temporarily became a cosmonaut guest researcher. She is to spend approximately 140 days on Mir before returning to Earth.

S89-E-5352 (28 Jan 1998) --- This Electronic Still Camera (ESC) image shows the commanders' farewell handshake, thus bringing the eighth Shuttle/Mir joint activities to an end. The commanders, cosmonaut Anatoliy Y. Solovyev, Mir-24 commander (on the left); and astronaut Terrence W. Wilcutt, STS-89 commander, are posing in the Docking Module (DM) between the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Russian Mir Space Station. The Shuttle crew dropped off astronaut Andrew S. W. Thomas and picked up astronaut David A. Wolf, cosmonaut guest researcher onboard Mir since September 1997. Thomas will be the last American astronaut to serve a tour aboard the Mir as a cosmonaut guest researcher. This ESC view was taken on January 28, 1998, at 22:27:56 GMT.

STS089-S-006 (22 Jan. 1998) --- Silhouettes of Florida foliage frame the space shuttle Endeavour in this wide scene of its nocturnal launch. Endeavour lifted off from Launch Pad 39A at 9:48:15 p.m. (EST), Jan. 22, 1998. STS-89 represents the eighth docking mission with Mir (all previous such flights utilized the Atlantis). After the docking with Mir, Andrew S. W. Thomas, mission specialist, will transfer to the station, succeeding astronaut David A. Wolf as guest cosmonaut researcher. Wolf will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Thomas is expected to live and work on Mir until June 1998. Other crew members onboard were Terrence W. Wilcutt, Joe F. Edwards Jr., Bonnie J. Dunbar, James F. Reilly, Michael P. Anderson and Salizhan S. Sharipov. Sharipov represents the Russian Space Agency (RSA). Photo credit: NASA

S96-10557 (May 1996) --- The original Mir-22 crew assigned to duty aboard Russia's Mir Space Station poses with the STS-81 crew. The cosmonauts, flanking astronaut Marsha S. Ivins on the top row, are Gennadiy M. Manakov (left) mission commander; and Pavel V. Vinogradov, flight engineer. After this photo was taken, a shift of Russian crew assignments occurred and Manakov and Vinogradov were replaced with Valeri G. Korzun and Aleksandr Y. Kaleri. The astronauts are, front row (left to right): Jerry M. Linenger, Brent W. Jett, Jr., and John E. Blaha. Second row, left to right, John W. Grunsfeld, Michael A. Baker and Peter J. K. (Jeff) Wisoff. All the STS-81 crewmembers except Blaha are scheduled to be launched in December 1996 aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis and those six will be joined by Mir-22 cosmonaut researcher Blaha when the two spacecraft are joined in Earth-orbit. Blaha will have been launched into Earth-orbit to connect with Russia's Mir Space Station on an earlier mission - STS-79 - of the space shuttle Atlantis, scheduled for launch in the summer of 1996. Linenger will remain onboard Mir for a tour of duty as a cosmonaut researcher.

STS-89 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., smiles and waves his Australian hat to the crowd outside of the Operations and Checkout Building at KSC as he heads toward the Astrovan that will transport him to Launch Pad 39A. There, the Space Shuttle Endeavour awaits to take the STS-89 crew to Russia’s Mir space station, where Dr. Thomas, who was born and educated in South Australia, will succeed David Wolf, M.D. STS-89, slated for a 9:48 p.m. EST liftoff Jan. 22, is the eighth docking with the Russian Space Station Mir, the first Mir docking for Endeavour (all previous dockings were made by Atlantis), and the first launch of 1998

STS089-372-031 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- Astronaut James F. Reilly, STS-89 mission specialist, tugs on a bag of supplies to be transferred from the space shuttle Endeavour's middeck to Russia's Mir Space Station, to which the shuttle was docked for several days. In the midst of the nine-day flight, Endeavour dropped off a number of supplies for the Mir crew members, along with Andrew S. W. Thomas, cosmonaut guest researcher; and the shuttle crew also retrieved David A. Wolf, who had spent four months on Mir. Photo credit: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-89 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., poses at KSC's Launch Pad 39A wearing a miniature koala bear on the day before the scheduled launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour that will carry him up to the Russian Space Station Mir. Final preparations are under way toward liftoff on Jan. 22 on the eighth mission to dock with Mir. After docking, Dr. Thomas will transfer to the space station, succeeding David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas, who was born and educated in South Australia, will live and work on Mir until June. STS-89 is scheduled for liftoff at 9:48 p.m. EST

STS089-335-016 (22-31 Jan. 1998) --- Salizhan S. Sharipov (center) signs his name on a long-lived Mir roster on the Base Block of Russia's Mir Space Station, while Mir and shuttle crew members look on. From the left are Andrew S. W. Thomas (back to camera), Anatoliy Y. Solovyev, David A. Wolf, Pavel V. Vinogradov, Joe F. Edwards Jr., (partially obscured) and Bonnie J. Dunbar. Sharipov, representing the Russian Space Agency (RSA), is a mission specialist on the STS-89 crew. Photo credit: NASA

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-89 Commander Terrence Wilcutt participates in a question and answer session for the media during Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities at KSC. The seven astronauts assigned to the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking flight are at KSC for this dress rehearsal for launch, which includes emergency egress training at the launch pad and culminates with a simulated countdown. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is undergoing preparations for liftoff, scheduled for Jan. 22. STS-89 Mission Specialist Andrew Thomas, Ph.D, will transfer to the Russian Space Station Mir, and succeed David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

STS79-E-5131 (20 September 1996) --- Astronauts Shannon W. Lucid and John E. Blaha, sharing a third flight together in Earth-orbit (twice on the Space Shuttle Atlantis, once on the Space Shuttle Columbia), hold a brief-debrief session about their soon-to-be exchanged roles, during Flight Day 5. Blaha becomes a Mir-22 cosmonaut guest researcher for several months and Lucid ends a period of over six months aboard Mir as a cosmonaut guest researcher, having spent time with two Mir crews.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. -- STS-89 Mission Specialists Bonnie Dunbar, Ph.D., and Andrew Thomas, Ph.D., check out oxygen masks in the bunker at KSC’s Launch Pad 39A. The seven astronauts assigned to the eighth Shuttle-Mir docking flight are completing Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test (TCDT) activities. A dress rehearsal for launch, the TCDT includes emergency egress training at the launch pad and culminates with a simulated countdown. Dr. Thomas will transfer to the Russian Space Station Mir and succeed David Wolf, M.D., who will return to Earth aboard Endeavour. The Space Shuttle Endeavour is undergoing preparations for liftoff, scheduled for Jan. 22. Dr. Thomas will live and work on Mir until June

STS076-708-031 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- Clouds over Brazil form the backdrop for this 70mm image showing the Spektr Module and other components of Russia's Mir Space Station. The photograph was taken after Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with the Mir Space Station on March 23, 1996. The delta of the giant Amazon River is at frame center.

STS076-312-022 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- Astronaut Ronald M. Sega, payload commander, works in the glovebox facility in the Spacehab laboratory aboard the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis. The Spacehab facility was one of the busier research areas on Atlantis during the STS-76 mission. Also, some of the gear for transfer to Russia's Mir Space Station was stowed there prior to the March 23, 1996 docking of Atlantis and Mir.

STS081-303-015 (12-22 Jan. 1997) --- Early in the part of the mission during which the Space Shuttle Atlantis was docked with Russia's Mir Space Station, impending duties appear to have Marsha S. Ivins topsy-turvy. Pictured in Spacehab's new Double Module (DM), astronauts Ivins and John M. Grunsfeld were involved with the transfer of supplies from Atlantis to Mir.

STS076-345-012 (22 - 31 March 1996) --- During the first few hours of the mission, astronaut Ronald M. Sega checks over stowed bags filled with food supplies in the STS-76 tunnel. The payload commander was one of six NASA astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, which later docked with Russia's Mir Space Station. The crew used a tunnel to commute to the Spacehab module and, later, to the Mir via its Docking Module (DM).

S89-E-5520 (22-31 Jan 1998) --- This Electronic Still Camera (ESC) image shows Russia?s Mir Space Station backdropped over clouds, not long after separation from the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Thus bringing to an end the eighth Shuttle/Mir docking mission activities. (Please note that this series of post-separation views is not posted here in chronological order because of the use of a second ESC. Note also that GMT times were not available for all images.)