NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

STS-79

Launch Time
Mon Sep 16, 1996 08:54 UTC

Rocket

Space Shuttle Atlantis
NASA
Status: Retired
Price: $450.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 30,250 kN
Payload to LEO: 27,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 3,810 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 56.1 m

Vehicles

Kennedy SLF Runway 15

OV-104

Flight #17
178 day turnaround

Mission Details

STS-79

STS-79 was the first shuttle mission to a fully completed Mir space station, following the arrival of its Priroda module. Atlantis carried the 1,821-kilogram (4,015 lb) Orbiter Docking System. This spaceflight was highlighted by the collection of American astronaut Shannon Lucid after 188 days in space, the first American crewmember exchange aboard the Russian Space Station Mir, and the fourth Shuttle-Mir docking.[1] Lucid's long-duration spaceflight set a new American record, as well as worldwide spaceflight record for a woman astronaut.[2] She embarked to Mir 22 March on the STS-76 mission. Succeeding her on Mir for an approximately four-month stay was John Blaha, who returned in January 1997 with the STS-81 crew. American astronaut Jerry Linenger replaced him.

Total Mass: 6,595.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA

Stats

1996

61st orbital launch attempt

Space Shuttle

79th mission
6th mission of 1996
78th successful mission
54th consecutive successful mission