61C-07-030 (15 Jan 1986) --- Astronaut Robert L. Gibson, STS 61-C mission commander, partially floats on the aft flight deck of the earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Columbia while preparing to use a motion picture camera. The windows overlooking the cargo bay are visible in the background.

61C-05-026 (14 Jan. 1986) --- Astronaut George D. Nelson smiles for a fellow crew man's 35mm camera exposure while participating in the Comet Halley active monitoring program (CHAMP). Camera equipment and a protective shroud used to eliminate all cabin light interference surround the mission specialist. This is the first of three 1986 missions which are scheduled to monitor the rare visit by the comet. The principal investigators for CHAMP are S. Alan Stern of the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics at the University of Colorado; and Dr. Stephen Mende of Lockheed Palo Alto Research Laboratory.

STS61C-S-046 (12 Jan. 1986) --- Although many miles away from the launch pad, the space shuttle Columbia can still be seen in this distant scene. The scene was recorded around 7 a.m. (EST), Jan. 12, 1986. Photo credit: NASA

A small piece of thermal insulation tile floats in space near the Shuttle Columbia. The cloudy surface of the earth is used as a background.

61C-05-036 (12-18 Jan. 1986) --- U.S. Representative Bill Nelson (Democrat - Florida), STS-61C payload specialist, prepares to photograph individual samples in the Handheld Protein Crystal Growth Experiment (HPCG) on Columbia's middeck. The operations involve the use of four pieces of equipment to attempt the growth of 60 different types of crystals -- 12 by means of dialysis and 48 via the vapor diffusion method. The photo was used by members of the STS-61C crew at their Jan. 23, 1986, Post-Flight Press Conference.

61C-02-032 (12-18 Jan. 1986) --- Astronaut Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, STS-61C mission specialist, while checking cargo in the space shuttle Columbia's payload bay, turns to smile at a fellow crew member using a 35mm camera. Some of the prolific camera gear onboard the spacecraft is affixed above the mission specialist's right shoulder.