Credit & Copyright: STS-89 Crew,
NASA
Explanation:
Photographed from the approaching
Space Shuttle Endeavour,
the Mir space station floats above the clouds of planet Earth.
Mir's
modular construction, bristling with solar panels and antennas,
lends it a
slightly whimsical, insect-like appearance.
Astronaut Andrew Thomas was dropped off at Mir by Endeavour in January
and recently picked up by the Space Shuttle Discovery during
STS-91,
the ninth and last Mir docking mission.
Thomas' 4 1/2 month stay culminates
the shuttle-Mir program in which
seven U.S. astronauts spent a total of
977 days with Russian crews on board Mir.
The experience gained will be applied toward
the construction of the
International Space Station
scheduled to begin with
launches in November and December 1998.
January February March April May June July August September October November December |
|
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: spacecraft - Mir - space station
Publications with words: spacecraft - Mir - space station
See also: