Launch from Cape Canaveral (
KSC);
landing on Cape Canaveral (
KSC).
STS-79 carried the fourth Shuttle-MIR
docking mission. Following a two day solo flight the Atlantis docked with the
MIR space station on September 19, 1996. Common mission with the
22nd MIR resident crew
(September 19, - September 24, 1996). Main goal of the mission was the partly
crew exchange of the MIR resident crew (Shannon
Lucid returned to Earth with STS-79 and John
Blaha
remained on MIR together with the
22nd MIR resident
crew).
During her approximately six-month stay on MIR, Shannon
Lucid conducted research in the following fields: advanced
technology, Earth sciences, fundamental biology, human life sciences,
microgravity research and space sciences. Specific experiments included:
Environmental Radiation Measurements to ascertain ionizing radiation levels
aboard MIR; Greenhouse-Integrated Plant Experiments, to study effect of
microgravity on plants, specifically dwarf wheat; and Assessment of Humoral
Immune Function During Long-Duration Space Flight, to gather data on effect of
long-term spaceflight on the human immune system and involving collection of
blood serum and saliva samples. Some of this research was conducted in the
newest and final MIR module, Priroda, which arrived at station during Shannon
Lucids stay
1,8 tons supplies and equipment were also
transferred between the MIR and the Shuttle including an
IMAX camera.
STS-79 also marked the second flight of the SPACEHAB module in support of
Shuttle-MIR activities and first flight of SPACEHAB Double Module
configuration. The forward portion of the double module housed experiments
conducted by the crew before, during and after Atlantis is docked to the
Russian space station. The aft portion of the double module housed the
logistics equipment to be transferred to the Russian space station.
