Table of Contents

Daily Reports

DAY 1
May 27, 1999

STS-96 Launch of Discovery

 

Videos

DAY 2
May 28, 1999

NASA astronaut Ellen Ochoa and CSA astronaut Payette also tested the Shuttle's Canadarm and used it to conduct a television survey of Discovery's payload bay.

Ochoa and CSA astronaut Payette also tested the Shuttle's Canadarm and used it to conduct a television survey of Discovery's payload bay. Jernigan and Ochoa extended the outer ring of Discovery's Orbiter Docking System in a successful test of the mechanism which will make the first contact with and capture a similar mechanism in the Pressurized Mating Adapter affixed to the ISS's Unity.

The Spacehab module can be seen here inside the payload bay. Working on Discovery's middeck, Flight Engineer Ellen Ochoa and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Julie Payette opened the tunnel and hatches leading to the Spacehab module in the payload bay.

Working on Discovery's middeck, Flight Engineer Ellen Ochoa and Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Julie Payette opened the tunnel and hatches leading to the Spacehab module in the payload bay. Spacehab was loaded with equipment, clothes and food that were stored aboard the new orbital outpost. Later, Payette and Russian cosmonaut Valery Tokarev temporarily stowed some equipment in the module to free up room in Discovery's cabin.

In preparation for Saturday's spacewalk, astronauts Tammy Jernigan and Dan Barry, assisted by Julie Payette and Pilot Rick Husband, successfully tested three spacesuits aboard Discovery. All of the equipment was found to be in excellent condition and ready for the spacewalk, during which Jernigan and Barry installed both U.S. and Russian-built cranes to the station for use by future astronaut construction crews.

Flight Day 02 Crew Activity Report recapping the Crews daily accomplishments.

DAY 3
May 29, 1999

Discovery docked with International Space Station (ISS) flawlessly at 00:24 a.m. (EDT) while flying South East of Moscow. The docking represented a critical step of this mission. Throughout the approach and docking procedures, Julie Payette, who was responsible for all cameras on board, recorded and documented docking operations in order to allow NASA engineers to evaluate the condition of modules Zarya and Unity. The remainder of her day was mainly dedicated to the preparation and lay out of tools that were used during the spacewalk, on flight day 4.

May 29, 1999, 07:26:06

Three hours prior to the docking, the Shuttle was already positioned eight nautical miles behind the ISS. As Discovery reached the range of about a half-mile from the ISS, Commander Rominger took over manual control of the Shuttle to complete the final approach. This photograph is a closeup view of the pressurized mating adapter 2 (PMA2). A small slice of Earth's horizon can be seen at left frame intersecting Discovery's starboard wing.

May 29, 1999, 06:14:52

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette holds a syringe during a busy day in space for the Space Shuttle Discovery.

Videos

Discovery docked with International Space Station (ISS) flawlessly at 00:24 a.m. (EDT) while flying South East of Moscow.

DAY 4
May 30, 1999

May 30, 1999, 06:36:22 GMT

During the course of flight day 4, astronauts Jernigan and Daniel T. Barry conducted a space walk in order to remove tools and cranes from the shuttle bay and install them on the external surface of modules Zarya and Unity. Throughout the event, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette worked as the co-ordinator of the space walk from inside the Space Shuttle. In that capacity, she guided her colleagues and acted as the main communications link between the space walkers, the Shuttle crew and mission control in Houston, Texas. American astronaut Tamara Jernigan totes part of a Russian-built crane, called Strela (a Russian word meaning "arrow"). Astronauts Jernigan and Daniel T. Barry went on to spend over seven hours on the space walk.

During the course of flight day 4, the astronauts conducted a space walk in order to remove tools and cranes from the shuttle bay and install them on the external surface of modules Zarya and Unity. American astronauts Tamara Jernigan and Dan Barry performed this EVA.

DAY 5
May 31, 1999

May 31, 1999, 01:50:38

During the course of flight day 5, Discovery's crew was able to enter the International Space Station and begin the transfer of equipment from the Shuttle to the Station. Immediately, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette and Russian Space Agency cosmonaut Valery Tokarev began their assigned maintenance activities. They changed twelve of the eighteen units that are part of the solar battery system of the Russian module Zarya. Equipment transfer and stowage operations continued for three days, through flight day 8. From the left are astronauts Tamara Jernigan and the International Space Station loadmasters Julie Payette and Valery Tokarev, responsible for stowage and installation of items onboard the Space Station.

Space Shuttle Discovery Crew enters the International Space Station and begins equipment transfer and installation.

DAY 6
June 1, 1999

June 1, 1999, 07:47:47 GMT

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette uses a conventional screw driver while performing a Flight Day 6 task in the Russian-built Zarya module. In order to complete the replacement of the solar battery system, Julie and her colleague had to lift some of Zarya's floor panels. This responsibility, recently assigned to Julie, required a trip on her part to Star City, near Moscow, to undergo specialized training.

June 1, 1999, 07:47:59 GMT

Cosmonaut Valery I. Tokarev waves at a crewmate during work performed along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette in the Russian-built module Zarya. They replaced twelve of the eighteen units that are part of the solar battery system of the Russian module Zarya. The remaining six were changed on June 2.

The Crew Members Participate in a VIP call from the Prime Minister of Canada, and an In-Flight News Conference. Surrounded by students that met at the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Jean Chrétien, spoke with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette, who was aboard the International Space Station's Unity module. The Prime Minister was also accompanied by the Honourable John Manley, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Canadian Space Agency.

DAY 7
June 2, 1999

June 2, 1999, 11:02:32 GMT

The seven crew members for STS-96 pose for an inflight crew portrait at the completion of their assigned chores on the International Space Station (ISS). At bottom center is astronaut Kent V. Rominger, mission commander. He is flanked by astronauts Daniel T. Barry and Ellen Ochoa, mission specialists. Also pictured are cosmonaut Valery I. Tokarev (just above Barry at left); and astronauts Tamara Jernigan and Julie Payette, all mission specialists. Astronaut Rick D. Husband, pilot, is between Payette and Ochoa. Tokarev represents the Russian Space Agency (RSA) and Payette is with the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).

Crew members perform final close-out tasks prior to Space Station hatch closure.

DAY 8
June 3, 1999

June 3, 1999, 22:53:18 GMT
(June 4 in Canada and the U.S.)

The International Space Station (ISS) as seen from the Space Shuttle Discovery shortly after the two spacecraft began their relative separation.

June 3, 1999, 23:01:00 GMT
(June 4 in Canada and the U.S.)

Partially silhouetted over clouds and a wide expanse of ocean waters, the unmanned International Space Station (ISS) moves away from the Space Shuttle Discovery.

June 3, 1999, 23:11:05 GMT
(June 4 in Canada and the U.S.)

The International Space Station (ISS) is backdropped against the blue and white horizon scene of Earth and the blackness of space following separation from Discovery.

June 3, 1999, 23:16:00 GMT
(June 4 in Canada and the U.S.)

The Zarya module and the Unity node of the International Space Station are centered in a setting of total black, as photographed from the Space Shuttle Discovery.

June 3, 1999, 23:28:41 GMT
(June 4 in Canada and the U.S.)

The aft section of the Space Shuttle Discovery is backdropped over a mass of clouds, some time after the International Space Station had undocked from Discovery. The top of SpaceHab is visible in the scene.

June 3, 1999, 23:12:29 GMT
(June 4 in Canada and the U.S.)

A STS-96 crew member recorded this image of the International Space Station during a flyaround following separation of the two spacecraft.

Discovery undocked from ISS at 5:39 p.m. central time having delivered more than two tons of water, supplies and equipment to the Space Station. Discovery spent 5 days, 18 hours and 17 minutes linked to the Station.

DAY 9
June 4, 1999

Space Shuttle Discovery undocked from the International Space Station and performed a "Fly-Around" to document its condition.

DAY 10
June 5, 1999

On their last day in orbit the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery launched the STARSHINE satellite, and made preparations for an early morning landing at the Kennedy Space Center.

DAY 11
June 6, 1999

Discovery is being inspected after the perfect mission STS-96 landing on June 6, 1999 at 2:03 a.m. The Space Shuttle completed a 4-million mile logistics and resupply mission to the International Space Station.

June 6, 1999, 2:03 a.m.

After more than nine days in space, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Julie Payette's mission came to an end at precisely 2:03 a.m. when Space Shuttle Discovery completed a perfect landing.

June 6, 1999, 2:03 a.m.

Discovery's astronauts glided to the 11th night landing in shuttle program history early Sunday, landing at 2:03 a.m. to wrap up a 4-million mile mission to resupply the International Space Station. Discovery swooped out of darkness as Commander Kent Rominger set the shuttle and his crewmates down on Runway 15 at the Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida.

After more than nine days in space, Canadian Space Agency (CSA) astronaut Julie Payette's mission came to an end at precisely 2:03 a.m.when Space Shuttle Discovery completed a perfect landing. The Honourable John Manley, Minister of Industry Canada and Minister responsible for the CSA, accompanied by Mr. Daniel Goldin, Chief of the NASA, Mr. Mac Evans, President of the CSA, was present at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to greet Julie.

John Manley, Minister of Industry Canada, poses with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette after the perfect landing of space mission STS-96 on June 6, 1999.

Minister of Industry John Manley (left) discusses with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Julie Payette who spent nearly 11 days aboard Discovery during mission STS-96 for the assembly of the International Space Station.

Minister of Industry John Manley and CSA President Mac Evans inspect Space Shuttle Discovery on Kennedy Space Centers Runway 15 after its landing on June 6, 1999.