Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 1 

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION 

SPACE SHUTTLE 

MISSION 

STS-79 

PRESS KIT 

SEPTEMBER 1996 

Fourth Shuttle-Mir Docking Mission 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 2 

STS-79 INSIGNIA 

STS079-S-001 -- STS-79 is the fourth in a series of NASA docking missions to the Russian Mir space 

station, leading up to the construction and operation of the International Space Station (ISS). As the first 

flight of the Spacehab Double Module, STS-79 encompasses research, test and evaluation of ISS, as well 

as logistics, resupply for the Mir space station. STS-79 is also the first NASA-Mir American crew member 

exchange mission, with John E. Blaha (NASA-Mir-3) replacing Shannon W. Lucid (NASA-Mir-2) aboard 

the Mir Space Station. The lettering of their names either up or down denotes transport up to the Mir 

Space Station or return to Earth on STS-79. The insignia is in the shape of the Space Shuttle's airlock 

hatch, symbolizing the gateway to international cooperation in space. The insignia illustrates the historic 

cooperation between the United States and Russia in space. With the flags of Russia and the United States 

as a backdrop, the handshake of Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) - suited crewmembers symbolizes 

mission teamwork, not only of the crewmembers but also the teamwork between both countries' space 

personnel in science, engineering, medicine and logistics. 

The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other 

official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the 

form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which we 

do not anticipate, it will be publicly announced. 

PHOTO CREDIT: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 3 

NEWS MEDIA CONTACTS 

For Information on the Space Shuttle 

Ed Campion Policy/Management 202/358-1778 

 Johnson Space Center 

 Houston, TX 

 

 

Rob Navias 

 Johnson Space Center 

 Houston, TX 

Mission Operations 

Astronauts 

713/483-5111 

 

Bruce Buckingham 

 Kennedy Space Center, FL 

Launch Processing 

KSC Landing Information 

407/867-2468 

 

June Malone 

 Marshall Space Flight Center 

 Huntsville, AL 

External Tank 

Shuttle Propulsion 

205/544-0034 

 

Cam Martin 

 Dryden Flight Research Center 

 Edwards, CA 

DFRC Landing Information 805/258-3448 

For Information on STS-79 Experiments & Activities 

Mike Braukus 

NASA Headquarters 

 Washington, DC 

 202/358-1979 

 

James Cast 

 NASA Headquarters 

 Washington, DC 

 205/544-6535 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 4 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

MISSION BACKGROUND 

General Release 5 

Media Services Information 7 

Quick-Look Facts 9 

Crew Responsibilities 10 

Developmental Test Objectives/Detailed Supplementary Objectives/Risk Mitigation Experiments 11 

Mission Summary Timeline 12 

Payload and Vehicle Weights 13 

Shuttle Abort Modes 14 

MISSION OVERVIEW 

Mir Rendezvous and Docking 15 

Shuttle/Mir Science 17 

IN-CABIN PAYLOADS 

Commercial Payloads 20 

IMAX 23 

Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX) 24 

STS-79 Crew Biographies 25 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 5 

RELEASE: 96-179 

ASTRONAUT EXCHANGE HIGHLIGHTS SHUTTLE MISSION STS-79 

A rendezvous and docking with the Russian Mir Space Station and the exchange of astronauts -- including 

the holder of the world record for longest space flight ever by a U.S. astronaut -- will highlight the flight of 

Space Shuttle Atlantis on Mission STS-79. 

This is the fourth of nine planned missions to Mir between 1995 and 1998 and the first exchange of 

astronauts. Astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, who has been on Mir since late March, will be replaced on Mir 

by astronaut John E. Blaha. Blaha will spend more than four months on Mir. He will return to Earth on 

Space Shuttle Mission STS-81, scheduled for launch in January 1997. 

STS-79 is the second Shuttle-Mir mission to carry a SPACEHAB module on board, and the first to carry a 

double module. The forward portion of the double module will house experiments conducted by the crew 

before, during and after Atlantis is docked to the Russian space station. The aft portion of the double 

module primarily houses the logistics equipment to be transferred to the Russian space station. Logistics 

include food, clothing, experiment supplies, and spare equipment for Mir. 

The STS-79 crew will be commanded by William F. Readdy, who will be making his third Shuttle flight. 

The pilot, Terrence W. Wilcutt, will be making his second. There are four mission specialists assigned to 

this mission. Jay Apt, serving as Mission Specialist-1, is making his fourth Shuttle flight. Also making his 

fourth flight and serving as Mission Specialist-2 is Thomas D. Akers. Carl E. Walz, flying on his third 

flight, is serving as Mission Specialist-3. Blaha, a veteran of four missions, will serve as Mission 

Specialist-4 from launch to docking. After the on-orbit crew exchange, Lucid will serve as Mission 

Specialist-4 through landing. 

Launch of Atlantis is currently targeted for September 14, 1996 at approximately 5:39 a.m. EDT from 

Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39-A. The actual launch time may vary by a few minutes based 

on calculations of Mir's precise location in space at the time of liftoff due to Shuttle rendezvous phasing 

requirements. The available launch period, or "window" to launch Atlantis, is approximately 10 minutes on 

September 14. 

The STS-79 mission is scheduled to last 9 days, 5 hours. An on-time launch on September 14 would set up 

Atlantis and the STS-79 crew for a return to Kennedy Space Center on September 23 at approximately 

10:48 a.m. EDT. 

Atlantis' rendezvous and docking with the Mir actually begins with the precisely timed launch setting the 

Orbiter on a course for rendezvous with the Mir station. Over the next three days, periodic firings of 

Atlantis' small thruster engines will gradually bring the Shuttle to closer proximity to Mir. 

The STS-79 mission is part of the NASA/Mir program which is now into the Phase 1B portion, consisting 

of nine Shuttle- Mir dockings and seven long-duration flights of U.S. astronauts aboard the Russian space 

station between early 1996 and late 1998. The U.S. astronauts will launch and land on a shuttle and serve 

as a Mir crew member while the Mir cosmonauts use their traditional Soyuz vehicle for launch and 

landing. This series of missions will expand U.S. research on Mir by providing resupply materials for 

experiments to be performed aboard the station as well as returning experimental samples and data to 

Earth. 

The current Mir 21 mission began when the cosmonaut crew launched on February 21, 1996, in a Soyuz 

vehicle and docked with the Mir two days later. Dr. Shannon Lucid joined the Mir 21 crew with the March 

1996, docking of STS-76. Lucid will complete her stay on the Mir and return with the STS-79 crew. On 

August 19, the Mir 21 crew was joined by the crew of Mir 22. The Mir 22 crew will remain on Mir after 

the Mir 21 crew returns to Earth in September. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 6 

The STS-79 mission also will include several experiments in the fields of advanced technology, Earth 

sciences, fundamental biology, human life sciences, microgravity, and space sciences. Data also will 

supply insight for the planning and development of the International Space Station, Earth-based sciences of 

human and biological processes, and the advancement of commercial technology. 

STS-79 will mark the largest transfer of logistics to and from the Mir space station to date. During the 

docked phase, 4,600 pounds of water, food, and other resupply items along with research hardware and 

equipment will be transferred from Atlantis to the Mir. Atlantis will return to Earth with 2,200 pounds of 

Russian, European Space Agency, and U.S. science samples and hardware. STS-79 will mark the first 

transfer of powered scientific apparatus to Mir as five different experiments are powered down on the 

Shuttle and rapidly transferred to Mir. 

STS-79 will be the 17th flight of Atlantis and the 79th mission flown since the start of the Space Shuttle 

program in April 1981. 

(END OF GENERAL RELEASE; BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOLLOWS.) 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 7 

MEDIA SERVICES INFORMATION 

NASA Television Transmission 

NASA Television is available through the Spacenet-2 satellite system. Spacenet-2 is located on 

Transponder 5, at 69 degrees West longitude, frequency 3880.0 MHz, audio 6.8 MHz. 

The schedule for television transmissions from the Orbiter and for mission briefings will be available 

during the mission at Kennedy Space Center, FL; Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL; Dryden 

Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA; Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX; and NASA Headquarters, 

Washington, DC. The television schedule will be updated to reflect changes dictated by mission 

operations. 

Television schedules also may be obtained by calling COMSTOR at 713/483-5817. COMSTOR is a 

computer data base service requiring the use of a telephone modem. A voice update of the television 

schedule is provided daily at noon Eastern time. 

Status Reports 

Status reports on countdown and mission progress, on- orbit activities and landing operations will be 

produced by the appropriate NASA newscenter. 

Briefings 

A mission press briefing schedule will be issued prior to launch. During the mission, status briefings by a 

flight director or mission operations representative and when appropriate, representatives from the payload 

team, will occur at least once each day. The updated NASA television schedule will indicate when mission 

briefings are planned. 

Internet Information 

Information on STS-79 is available through several sources on the Internet. The primary source for mission 

information is the NASA Shuttle Web, part of the World Wide Web. This site contains information on the 

crew and their mission and will be regularly updated with status reports, photos and video clips throughout 

the flight. The NASA Shuttle Web's address is: 

http://shuttle.nasa.gov 

If that address is busy or unavailable, Shuttle information is available through the Office of Space Flight 

Home Page: 

http://www.osf.hq.nasa.gov/ 

General information on NASA and its programs is available through the NASA Home Page and the NASA 

Public Affairs Home Page: 

http://www.nasa.gov 

or 

http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/hqpao/hqpao_home.html 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 8 

Information on other current NASA activities is available through the Today@NASA page: 

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/NewsRoom/today.html 

The NASA TV schedule is available from the NTV Home Page: 

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/ntv.html 

Status reports, TV schedules and other information are also available from the NASA Headquarters FTP 

(File Transfer Protocol) server, ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao. Log in as anonymous and go to the directory 

/pub/pao. Users should log on with the user name "anonymous" (no quotes), then enter their E-mail address 

as the password. Within the /pub/pao directory there will be a "readme.txt" file explaining the directory 

structure. 

Pre-launch status reports from KSC are found under ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/statrpt/ksc

Mission status reports can be found under ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/statrpt/jsc

Daily TV schedules can be found under ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/statrpt/jsc/tvsked. 

NASA's Spacelink, a resource for educators, also provides mission information via the Internet. The 

system fully supports the following Internet services: 

• World Wide Web: http://spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov 

• Gopher: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov 

• Anonymous FTP: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov 

• Telnet: spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov 

Spacelink's dial-up modem line is 205-895-0028. 

Access by CompuServe 

Users with CompuServe accounts can access NASA press releases by typing "GO NASA" (no quotes) and 

making a selection from the categories offered. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 9 

QUICK-LOOK FACTS 

Launch Date/Site: September 14, 1996/KSC Launch Pad 39-A 

Launch Time: Approximately 5:39 a.m. EDT 

Launch Window: Approximately 10 minutes 

Orbiter: Atlantis (OV-104), 17th flight 

Orbit Altitude/Inclination: 160 nautical miles, 51.6 degrees (approx. 207 n.m. for docking) 

Mission Duration: 9 days, 5 hours 

Landing Date: September 23, 1996 

Landing Time: Approximately 10:48 a.m. EDT 

Primary Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, FL 

Abort Landing Sites: Return to Launch Site - KSC 

 Transoceanic Abort Sites: 

 Zaragoza, Spain 

 Moron, Spain 

 Ben Guerir, Morocco 

 Abort-Once Around - Kennedy Space Center 

 

Crew: Bill Readdy, Commander (CDR) 

 Terry Wilcutt, Pilot (PLT) 

 Jay Apt, Mission Specialist 1 (MS 1) 

 Tom Akers, Mission Specialist 2 (MS 2) 

 Carl Walz, Mission Specialist 3 (MS 3) 

 John Blaha, Mission Specialist 4 (MS 4) Launch-Docking 

 Shannon Lucid, Mission Specialist 4 (MS 4) Docking-Landing 

 

Mir 22 Crew: Valery Korzun, Commander (CDR) 

 Alexander Kaleri, Flight Engineer (FE) 

 Shannon Lucid, Cosmonaut-Researcher (through docking) 

 

EVA Crew (if required): Carl Walz (EV 1), Jay Apt (EV 2) 

 

Cargo Bay Payloads: Orbiter Docking System 

 Spacehab Double Module 

 

In-Cabin Payloads: IMAX 

 Risk Mitigation Experiments 

 SAREX 

 Middeck Science Hardware 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 10 

CREW RESPONSIBILITIES 

Payloads Prime Backup 

 

Orbiter Docking System Walz Akers 

Spacehab Apt Walz 

EVA Walz (EV-1) Apt (EV-2) 

Intravehicular Crewmember Akers ------ 

SAREX Apt Walz, Readdy 

Rendezvous Readdy Wilcutt 

Cargo Transfers Akers Wilcutt 

DTOs Akers Walz 

DSOs Akers Walz 

Earth Observations Apt Walz 

ARIS (RME 1313) Walz Apt 

Biotechnology System (BTS) Apt Walz 

Real-time Radiation Monitoring Device Walz Apt 

Extreme Temperature Translation Furnace Apt Walz 

Mechanics of Granular Materials Walz Apt 

Refrigerators and Freezers Apt Walz 

IMAX Walz Akers 

Mir Photo Survey Walz Apt 

Orbiter Space Vision System Walz ------- 

Russian Language Blaha Readdy 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 11 

DEVELOPMENTAL TEST OBJECTIVES (DTOs), 

DETAILED SUPPLEMENTARY OBJECTIVES (DSOs) 

RISK MITIGATION EXPERIMENTS (RMEs) 

RME 1301: Mated Shuttle and Mir Structural Dynamics Test 

RME 1302: Mir Electric Field Characterization Test 1 and 2 

RME 1303: Shuttle/Mir Experiment Kit Transport 

RME 1310: Shuttle/Mir Alignment Stability Experiment 

RME 1312: Intra-Vehicular Radiation Environment Measurement Experiment 

RME 1313: Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) 

RME 1319: Inventory Management System 

 

DTO 255: Wraparound DAP Flight Test Verification 

DTO 301D: Ascent Structural Capability Evaluation 

DTO 307D: Entry Structural Capability 

DTO 312: ET TPS Performance 

DTO 700-5: Trajectory Control Sensor 

DTO 700-10: Orbiter Space Vision System Flight Video Taping 

DTO 700-14: Single String Global Positioning System 

DTO 805: Crosswind Landing Performance 

DTO 837: Vernier RCS Reboost Demonstration 

DTO 840: Hand-Held Lidar Procedures 

DTO 1118: Photographic and Video Survey of Mir Space Station 

 

DSO 901: Documentary Television 

DSO 902: Documentary Motion Picture Photography 

DSO 903: Documentary Still Photography 

RME 1301: Mated Shuttle and Mir Structural Dynamics Test 

RME 1302: Mir Electric Field Characterization Test 1 and 2 

RME 1303: Shuttle/Mir Experiment Kit Transport 

RME 1310: Shuttle/Mir Alignment Stability Experiment 

RME 1312: Intra-Vehicular Radiation Environment Measurement Experiment 

RME 1313: Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS) 

RME 1319: Inventory Management System 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 12 

MISSION SUMMARY TIMELINE 

Flight Day 1 Flight Day 6 

Launch/Ascent IMAX Operations 

OMS-2 Burn Spacehab Operations 

Spacehab Activation Logistics Transfers 

Rendezvous Burn ARIS Operations 

CPCG Activation ETTF Operations 

 

Flight Day 2 Flight Day 7 

Spacehab Operations IMAX Operations 

ARIS Setup and Checkout Joint Crew News Conference 

Rendezvous Tool Checkout Final Logistics Transfers 

Orbiter Docking System Checkout Farewell Ceremony 

Rendezvous Burns Hatch Closure 

ETTF Activation ARIS Deactivation 

SAMS Activation 

Flight Day 8 

Flight Day 3 Atlantis/Mir Undocking 

Atlantis/Mir Docking Separation Burn 

Hatch Opening/Welcoming Ceremony/Gift 

Exchange 

IMAX Operations 

Soyuz Seatliner Transfer ETTF Operations 

Blaha/Lucid Crew Transfer MEFC Operations 

Logistics Transfer Preparations SAMS Operations 

 

Flight Day 4 Flight Day 9 

Blaha/Lucid Crew Transfer Flight Control System Checkout 

Logistics Transfers Reaction Control System Hot-Fire 

Spacehab Operations Deorbit Preparation Briefing 

BTS Sterile Sample Vernier Reaction Control System Boost Test for 

Second HST 

BTS Transfer to Mir Servicing Mission 

Cold Stowage Science Sample Transfer from Mir ARIS Stowage 

CGBA Transfer to Mir Spacehab Stowage 

MEFC Operations Cabin Stow 

 Recumbent Seat Setup for Lucid 

Flight Day 5 ETTF Deactivation 

Spacehab Operations SAMS Deactivation 

Logistics Transfers 

IMAX Operations Flight Day 10 

ARIS Operations Spacehab Deactivation 

MGM Operations Deorbit Prep 

Orlan Suit Transfer from Mir Deorbit Burn 

STES Transfer to Mir KSC Landing 

ETTF Operations 

NOTE Exact times of events for STS-79 and other Phase 1 missions will not be determined until after 

launch because of the rendezvous requirements needed for Atlantis to reach the Mir Space Station. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 13 

PAYLOAD AND VEHICLE WEIGHTS 

 Pounds

 

Orbiter (Columbia) empty and 3 SSMEs 173,249 

Shuttle System at SRB Ignition 4,510,959 

Orbiter Weight at Landing with Cargo 249,352 

Spacehab Module 15,555 

Orbiter Docking System 4,016 

SAREX 27 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 14 

SHUTTLE ABORT MODES 

Space Shuttle launch abort philosophy aims toward safe and intact recovery of the flight crew, Orbiter and 

its payload. Abort modes for STS-79 include: 

• Abort-To-Orbit (ATO) -- Partial loss of main engine thrust late enough to permit reaching a minimal 

105-nautical mile orbit with the orbital maneuvering system engines. 

• Abort-Once-Around (AOA) -- Earlier main engine shutdown with the capability to allow one orbit of 

the Earth before landing at the Kennedy Space Center, FL. 

• Transoceanic Abort Landing (TAL) -- Loss of one or more main engines midway through powered 

flight would force a landing at either Ben Guerir, Morocco; or Moron, Spain. 

• Return-To-Launch-Site (RTLS) -- Early shutdown of one or more engines, and without enough energy 

to reach a TAL site, would result in a pitch around and thrust back toward Kennedy until within 

gliding distance of the Shuttle Landing Facility.
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 15 

MIR RENDEZVOUS AND DOCKING 

Atlantis' rendezvous and docking with the Russian Space Station Mir actually begins with the precisely 

timed launch of the shuttle on a course for the Mir, and, over the next two days, periodic small engine 

firings that will gradually bring Atlantis to a point eight nautical miles behind Mir on docking day, the 

starting point for a final approach to the station. 

Mir Rendezvous -- Flight Day 3 

About two hours before the scheduled docking time on Flight Day Three of the mission, Atlantis will reach 

a point about eight nautical miles behind the Mir Space Station and conduct a Terminal Phase Initiation 

burn, beginning the final phase of the rendezvous. Atlantis will close the final eight nautical miles to Mir 

during the next orbit. As Atlantis approaches, the shuttle's rendezvous radar system will begin tracking Mir 

and providing range and closing rate information to Atlantis. Atlantis' crew also will begin air-to-air 

communications with the Mir crew using a VHF radio. 

As Atlantis reaches close proximity to Mir, the Trajectory Control Sensor, a laser ranging device mounted 

in the payload bay, will supplement the shuttle's onboard navigation information by supplying additional 

data on the range and closing rate. As Atlantis closes in on the Mir, the shuttle will have the opportunity for 

four small successive engine firings to fine-tune its approach using its onboard navigation information. 

Identical to the three prior Mir dockings, Atlantis will aim for a point directly below Mir, along the Earth 

radius vector (R-Bar), an imaginary line drawn between the Mir center of gravity and the center of Earth. 

Approaching along the R-Bar, from directly underneath the Mir, allows natural forces to brake Atlantis' 

approach more so than would occur along a standard shuttle approach from directly in front of Mir. During 

this approach, the crew will begin using a handheld laser ranging device to supplement distance and 

closing rate measurements made by shuttle navigational equipment. 

The manual phase of the rendezvous will begin just as Atlantis reaches a point about a half-mile below 

Mir. Commander Bill Readdy will fly the shuttle using the aft flight deck controls as Atlantis begins 

moving up toward Mir. Because of the approach from underneath Mir, Readdy will have to perform very 

few braking firings. However, if such firings are required, the shuttle's jets will be used in a mode called 

"Low-Z," a technique that uses slightly offset jets on Atlantis' nose and tail to slow the spacecraft rather 

than firing jets pointed directly at Mir. This technique avoids contamination of the space station and its 

solar arrays by exhaust from the shuttle steering jets. 

Readdy will center Atlantis' docking mechanism with the Docking Module mechanism on Mir, continually 

refining this alignment as he approaches within 300 feet of the station. At a distance of about 30 feet from 

docking, Readdy will stop Atlantis and stationkeep momentarily to adjust the docking mechanism 

alignment, if necessary. At that time, a final go or no-go decision to proceed with the docking will be made 

by flight control teams in both Houston and Moscow. When Atlantis proceeds with docking, the shuttle 

crew will use ship-to-ship communications with Mir to inform the Mir crew of the shuttle's status and to 

keep them updated on major events, including confirmation of contact, capture and the conclusion of 

damping. Damping, the halt of any relative motion between the two spacecraft after docking, is performed 

by shock absorber-type springs within the docking device. Mission Specialist Carl Walz will oversee the 

operation of the Orbiter Docking System aboard Atlantis. 

Undocking, Separation and Mir Fly-Around 

Once Atlantis is ready to undock from Mir, the initial separation will be performed by springs that will 

gently push the shuttle away from the docking module. Both the Mir and Atlantis will be in a mode called 

"free drift" during the undocking, a mode that has the steering jets of each spacecraft shut off to avoid any 

inadvertent firings. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 16 

Once the docking mechanism's springs have pushed Atlantis away to a distance of about two feet from Mir, 

where the docking devices will be clear of one another, Readdy will turn Atlantis' steering jets back on. 

Immediately, he will fire the shuttle's jets in the Low-Z mode to begin slowly moving away from Mir. 

Atlantis will continue away from Mir to a distance of about 600 feet, where Readdy and Pilot Terry Wilcutt 

will begin a flyaround of the station. Atlantis will circle Mir twice before firing its jets again to depart. 

During this flyaround the crew will perform documentary photography of the Mir space station, including 

the newly arrived "Priroda" science module, using still and video cameras as well as the IMAX large 

format movie camera. 

Logistics Transfers 

STS-79 will mark the first flight with a double Spacehab module, increasing the amount of logistics the 

shuttle can carry to the Mir space station. In addition to the U.S. astronaut exchange, the STS-79 crew will 

transfer over 4,600 pounds of food, water, clothing, personal hygiene supplies, replacement Mir hardware 

components, and U.S. science experiments and supplies to the Mir, including five powered experiments 

(experiments requiring electrical power on the shuttle and immediately on Mir.) 

The Atlantis crew will simultaneously receive over 2,100 pounds of Russian hardware, empty food and 

water containers, ESA return science items, and U.S. science hardware, data and specimens from Shannon 

Lucid's science gathering activities during her stay on Mir. 

This is the largest shuttle transfer of logistics to and from the Mir to date. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 17 

SHUTTLE/MIR SCIENCE 

The NASA/Mir program is now into the Phase 1B portion, which consists of nine Shuttle-Mir dockings 

and seven long- duration flights of U.S. astronauts aboard the Russian space station between early 1996 

and late 1998. The U.S. astronauts will launch and land on a shuttle and serve as a Mir crewmember for 

flight durations ranging from 127 to 158 days, while the Mir cosmonauts stay approximately 180 days and 

use their traditional Soyuz vehicle for launch and landing. This series of missions will expand U.S. 

research on Mir by providing resupply materials for experiments to be performed aboard Mir as well as 

returning experimental samples and data to Earth. 

The Mir 21 mission began when the crew launched on February 21, 1996, in a Soyuz vehicle and docked 

with the Mir two days later. Dr. Shannon Lucid joined the Mir 21 crew with the March 24, 1996, docking 

of STS-76. The return of STS-79 will conclude a mission of experiments in the fields of advanced 

technology, Earth sciences, fundamental biology, human life sciences, microgravity, and space sciences. 

Data also will supply insight for the planning and development of the ISS, Earth-based sciences of human 

and biological processes, and the advancement of commercial technology. 

Science Overview 

As scientists learn more about the effects of the space environment, they continue to develop questions 

from the fields of human life sciences, behavioral sciences, fundamental biology, biotechnology, material 

sciences, and spacecraft structural and environmental dynamics. Valuable scientific information regarding 

these subjects will be returned from the Shuttle Mir Science Program disciplines of advanced technology, 

Earth sciences, fundamental biology, human life sciences, International Space Station, microgravity and 

space sciences. These investigations will provide valuable information about space flight and long term 

exposure to the microgravity environment. This knowledge will assist researchers in developing future 

space stations, science programs, procedures for those facilities, and advance the knowledge base of these 

areas to the benefit of all people on Earth. 

The commercial initiated research and technology from the advanced technology discipline will evaluate 

new technologies and techniques using the Mir space station as a test bed. An increased understanding of 

the characteristics of superconductors, protein crystal growth, and the development of biological and 

chemical systems through fluid processing in reduced gravity can lead to an enhanced technological base 

for implementation on the International Space Station and commercial processing here on Earth. 

Earth sciences research in ocean biochemistry, land surface hydrology, meteorology, and atmospheric 

physics and chemistry also will be performed. Observation and documentation of transient natural and 

human-induced changes will be accomplished with the use of passive microwave radiometers, a visible 

region spectrometer, a side-looking radar, and hand-held photography. Earth orbit will allow for 

documentation of atmospheric conditions, ecological and unpredictable events, and seasonal changes over 

long time periods. 

Fundamental biology research continues developmental investigations that study the effects of the space 

environment on the biological systems of plants. Prolonged exposure to microgravity provides an ideal 

opportunity to determine the role gravity has on cell regulation and how this affects development and 

growth. Investigations under this discipline will also characterize the internal radiation environment of the 

Mir space station. 

Human life sciences research consists of investigations that focus on the crewmember's adaptation to 

weightlessness in terms of skeletal muscle and bone changes, psychological interactions, immune system 

function, and metabolism. In addition, environmental factors such as water quality, air quality, surface 

assessment for microbes, and crew microbiology will be assessed. The ambitious set of investigations will 

continue the characterization of the integrated human responses to a prolonged presence in space. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 18 

The International Space Station risk mitigation discipline consists of several technology demonstrations 

associated with human factors and maintenance of crew health and safety aboard the space station. In order 

to improve the design and operation of the International Space Station, information is gathered to fully 

evaluate the Mir interior and exterior environments. This discipline includes investigations of radio 

interference, crew force impacts to structures, particle impact on the station, docked configuration stability, 

water microbiological monitoring and inventory management. 

Microgravity research will advance scientific understanding through research in biotechnology, fluid 

physics, combustion science, and materials science. The ambient acceleration and vibration environment of 

Mir will be characterized to support future research programs. 

Space science research continues with the externally mounted Mir Sample Return Experiment (MSRE) and 

Particle Impact Experiment (PIE) payloads. These experiments continue to collect interstellar and 

interplanetary space particles to further our understanding of the origin and evolution of planetary systems 

and life on Earth. 

Most of the Mir 22/NASA 3 research will be conducted on the Mir; however, shuttle-based experiments 

are conducted in the middeck and Spacehab modules of STS-79 and STS-81. 

Fundamental Biology 

The microgravity environment on a long duration mission provides an ideal opportunity to determine the 

role gravity plays in molecular mechanisms at a cellular level and in regulatory and sensory mechanisms, 

and how this affects development and fundamental biological growth. Fundamental biology is also 

responsible for characterizing the radiation of the Mir environment and determining how it may impact 

station-based science. 

Environmental Radiation Measurements: Exposure of crew, equipment, and experiments to the ambient 

space radiation environment in low Earth orbit poses one of the most significant problems to long term 

space habitation. As part of the collaborative NASA/Mir Science program, a series of measurements are 

being compiled of the ionizing radiation levels aboard Mir. During the mission, radiation will be measured 

in six separate locations throughout the Mir using a variety of passive radiation detectors. This experiment 

will continue on later missions, where measurements will be used to map the ionizing radiation 

environment of Mir. These measurements will yield detailed information on spacecraft shielding in the 

51.6-degree-orbit of the Mir. Comparisons will be made with predictions from space environment and 

radiation transport models. 

Greenhouse-Integrated Plant Experiments: The microgravity environment of the Mir space station provides 

researchers an outstanding opportunity to study the effects of gravity on plants, specifically dwarf wheat. 

The greenhouse experiment determines the effects of space flight on plant growth, reproduction, 

metabolism, and production. By studying the chemical, biochemical, and structural changes in plant 

tissues, researchers hope to understand how processes such as photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, 

stomatal conductance, and water use are affected by the space station environment. This study is an 

important area of research, due to the fact that plants could eventually be a major contributor to life support 

systems for space flight. Plants produce oxygen and food, while eliminating carbon dioxide and excess 

humidity from the environment. These functions are vital for sustaining life in a closed environment such 

as the Mir or the International Space Station. 

Wheat is planted and grown in the "Svet," a Russian/Slovakian developed plant growth facility, where 

photosynthesis, transpiration, and the physiological state of the plants are monitored. The plants are 

observed daily, and photographs and video images are taken. Samples are also collected at certain 

developmental stages, fixed or dried, and returned to Earth for analysis. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 19 

Human Life Sciences: The task of safely keeping men and women in space for long durations, whether 

they are doing research in Earth orbit or exploring other planets in our solar system, requires continued 

improvement in our understanding of the effects of space flight factors on the ways humans live and work. 

The Human Life Sciences (HLS) project has a set of investigations planned for the Mir 22/NASA 3 

mission to determine how the body adapts to weightlessness and other space flight factors, including the 

psychological and microbiological aspects of a confined environment and how they readapt to Earth's 

gravitational forces. The results of these investigations will guide the development of ways to minimize 

any negative effects so that crewmembers can remain healthy and efficient during long flights, as well as 

after their return to Earth. 

Assessment of Humoral Immune Function During Long Duration Space Flight: Experiments concerned 

with the effects of space flight on the human immune system are important to protect the health of long 

duration crews. The human immune system involves both humoral (blood-borne) and cell-mediated 

responses to foreign substances known as antigens. Humoral responses include the production of 

antibodies, which can be measured in samples of saliva and serum (blood component). The cell-mediated 

response, which involves specialized white blood cells, appears to be suppressed during long duration 

space missions. Preflight, a baseline saliva and blood sample is collected. While on Mir, the crew is 

administered a subcutaneous antigen injection. In flight and postflight, follow-up blood and saliva samples 

are collected to measure the white blood cell activation response to the antigen. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 20 

COMMERCIAL PAYLOADS 

Two commercial payloads will be transferred to Mir on STS-79 and will be retrieved by STS-81 some four 

months later: 

Biotechnology System (BTS): The Bioreactor rotating wall vessel developed at the Space Cell Biology and 

Biotechnology Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center is the first of a series of long-duration cell culture 

experiments. BTS will study the three-dimensional growth of cartilage cells during its 147-day mission. 

Cartilage is the material that makes up the joints in the human body. The bioreactor enables the growth of 

mature cartilage from a small number of starting cells. This level of maturity is rarely achieved by other 

culture methods. 

Dr. Lisa Freed of MIT is using BTS to study cartilage so that cartilage cells may be engineered for 

replacement and transplantation. 

STS-79 astronauts will activate BTS and sample the culture to ensure it is viable and sterile before 

transferring it to Mir. Aboard Mir, John Blaha will take weekly samples of the culture, and return the entire 

experiment on STS-81. 

Material in Devices as Superconductors (MIDAS): The MIDAS experiment developed at NASA's Langley 

Research Center, Hampton, VA, will fly into orbit on STS-79 and be transferred over to the Russian Mir 

Space Station for approximately four months. While on the Mir, MIDAS will measure the electrical 

properties of high temperature superconductor (HTS) materials during extended space flight and compile 

the results in a database for commercial use. HTS materials may be used in a variety of device applications 

to reduce power requirements and thermal losses. In addition to the development of a database, the MIDAS 

experiment will demonstrate the development of a manufacturing process using integrated superconductor 

and conventional microelectronics. There have been no previous flights which characterize HTS material 

in spaceflight at cryogenic temperatures. Sample boards are provided by the Eaton Company (USA), the 

Moscow Institute of Electronic Equipment (Russia), and the Langley Research Center. 

Commercial Generic Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGBA): The CGBA hardware has been used extensively 

on short duration Shuttle missions to house a great variety of biotechnology experiments of interest to 

commercial product development. There are many biotechnology processes which require much longer 

periods of time than a Shuttle mission can provide. For this reason, the commercial affiliates of BioServe 

Space Technologies, a NASA Commercial Space Center, are eager to take advantage of the long duration 

mission which the Shuttle/MIR program provides. 

Among the experiments carried by the CGBA to Mir will be small, self -contained aquatic ecosystems -- 

complete with both plants and animals -- developed by Paragon Space Sciences of Tucson, AZ. A leading 

American pharmaceutical company will conduct experiments to determine the secondary metabolite 

production in plant tissue. In addition, a leading biotechnology concern is taking advantage of this long 

duration mission to conduct crystallization experiments involving proteins and oligonucleotides. 

In addition, three experiments will make a round-trip voyage aboard Atlantis itself: 

Extreme Temperature Translation Furnace (ETTF): The ETTF, which will be integrated into the 

SPACEHAB module, is a new furnace design allowing space-based processing up to 1,600 degrees 

Centigrade and above. ETTF was developed by McDonnell Douglas Aerospace Huntsville and the 

Consortium for Materials Development in Space at the University of Alabama-Huntsville (UAH), a NASA 

Commercial Space Center. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 21 

ETTF is designed to investigate how flaws form in cast and sintered metals. Studying the basic 

thermodynamics and behavior of pores and metal grains will allow metallurgists to make stronger machine 

tools on Earth. 

The furnace is integrated into a SPACEHAB single rack to demonstrate the facility's on-orbit capabilities. 

Major ETTF elements include the furnace assembly, a flight computer for experimental processing, a 

power and switching assembly for the furnace and an experiment power switching unit for control of the 

water cooling system. A 3-DMA gravitational measurement and recording system is embedded in the 

ETTF design to allow the experimenter to correlate G-loads with scientific results. The ETTF will process 

four ampoules containing sintered metal compositions as well as iron. Furnace melts will be made at 1,000 

degrees Centigrade, 1150C, 1375-1400C and 1540 to 1600C. Teledyne Advanced Materials Systems is a 

partner for the sintered samples. 

Commercial Protein Crystal Growth (CPCG) Experiments: STS-79 will include the 31st Shuttle flight of a 

Protein Crystal Growth payload managed by the Center for Macromolecular Crystallography, a NASA 

Commercial Center for the Development of Space based at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The 

complement of CPCG experiments aboard this mission is comprised of 128 individual samples involving 

twelve different proteins. The samples will be processed at 22 degrees Centigrade using the newly 

developed Commercial Vapor Diffusion Apparatus (CVDA). The goal of these experiments is to produce 

large, well-ordered protein crystals in the microgravity environment from very small volumes of protein 

solutions. These crystals will be used for x-ray diffraction studies to determine the three- dimensional 

structures of the individual proteins singly, and as they are bonded to other key molecules. 

The CVDA hardware consists of 32 "banks" of sample holders, each containing four separate experiment 

chambers. This hardware is an adaptation of the most common laboratory method (vapor diffusion) for 

growing protein crystals. Each chamber contains a double-barreled syringe which is loaded with protein 

and precipitant, prior to launch. The bottom of the chamber is fitted with a cylinder of polymer wicking 

material which holds a more concentrated reservoir solution. 

After orbit is attained, a crew member activates the experiments by using a gauged mechanism to extrude 

the solution from the syringe barrels to form a protein droplet on each syringe tip. The droplet becomes 

more concentrated as water diffuses from it, through the vapor phase, to the more concentrated reservoir 

solution captured in the wicking material. As equilibrium is approached, protein crystals grow slowly in the 

protein droplet. 

The samples on this mission flown for commercial development purposes include a protein responsible for 

causing some types of asthma and other allergic reactions. Another is an enzyme that is important for the 

activation of the "complement system." This system of enzymes protects humans by killing 

microorganisms and infected cells. 

Mechanics of Granular Materials: This experiment seeks to develop a quantitative scientific understanding 

of the behavior of cohesionless granular materials in dry and saturated states at very low confining 

pressures and effective stresses. Cohesionless granular materials are unlike other engineering materials 

since their strength and stiffness properties derive entirely from friction and dilatancy. Dilatency is the 

change of volume associated with the application of shear stresses. The strength and stiffness of these 

materials are usually several orders of magnitude lower than cementious composites. Granular material 

properties depend on confinement. Investigators expect to see higher axial loads for a given axial 

displacement in microgravity. This data could help scientists to understand the behavior of the Earth's 

surface during earthquakes and landslides. 

The MGM experiment was developed by Sandia National Laboratories, in cooperation with the University 

of Colorado and the Marshall Space Flight Center. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 22 

Risk Mitigation Experiments 

Several experiments are planned during STS-79 to obtain data that will reduce the development risk for the 

International Space Station. 

Mir Electric Field Characterization (RME 1302): The radio frequency interference (RFI) environment seen 

by the Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS) is of increasing concern due to new ground-based 

transmitters for communications and radar applications. In addition, the 52 degree inclination of the ISS 

orbit will expose ISS and the Shuttle to larger radio-frequency radiation levels due to longer travel over 

populated areas. This experiment seeks to collect data on the internal and external RFI in the 40 MHz to 18 

GHz frequency band. Part one of this experiment will be conducted in the Shuttle cabin only. Part two will 

be conducted in the Priroda module of the Mir station. Data will assist designers in the selection of 

frequency bands for radio-frequency components of ISS and its supporting systems. 

Real-time Radiation Monitoring Device (RRMD; RME 1312): RRMD measures the elemental composition 

and energy spectra of cosmic radiation in real-time. It also provides information on the effect of radiation 

on biological samples. The detector unit contains a Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer. 

Biological samples in the dosimeters are dry E-Coli and plasmid DNA. Biological samples in the 

biospecimen box are E- Coli and D. radiodurans mixed with a liquid nutrient. The investigators are 

interested in the ability of bacteria to repair any radiation-damaged DNA. 

RRMD was developed by NASDA and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. of Japan. 

Active Rack Isolation System (ARIS; RME 1313): The Active Rack Isolation System is designed to isolate 

certain classes of science experiments from major mechanical disturbances that might be found on the 

International Space Station. Active isolation augments passive isolation, adding apparent mass and 

damping, thus canceling accelerations. Specifically, ARIS is expected to isolate payloads from low 

frequency vibrations. 

The objective of the ARIS flight experiment is to expose the system to accelerations due to the Space 

Shuttle and also due to the Shuttle/Mir orbital complex, which will provide a low frequency vibration 

environment similar to that anticipated for the International Space Station. ARIS isolation performance 

cannot be proven by ground testing, hence the flight test on STS-79 was proposed to characterize ARIS 

performance, measuring its isolation capabilities from .003 to 300 Hertz. 

The ARIS rack is being developed by the Boeing Defense and Space Group in Seattle, Washington. The 

ARIS hardware is integrated into an ISS International Standard Payload Rack (ISPR). The ISPR was then 

integrated into the Spacehab, placed in a double rack enclosure on the starboard side of Spacehab. ARIS 

weighs approximately 700 pounds, which includes 350 pounds of Russian logistics as ballast. During the 

flight, periods without jet firings as well as specific jet firing occasions will be required to evaluate ARIS 

performance. 

Inventory Management System (IMS; RME 1319): This experiment seeks to determine the utility of using 

a bar code reader to keep track of items transferred from Shuttle to Mir and from Mir to Shuttle. Bar code 

tags will be attached to selected transfer items. Results of this experiment will help in determining the type 

of IMS required for the International Space Station. The IMS experiment was developed at the Johnson 

Space Center. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 23 

IMAX 

During the STS-79 mission, the crew will use an onboard IMAX camera to document activities on Atlantis 

and Mir. After the mission, selected still images from the film will be made available to the public via the 

Internet. Sections of the film will be transferred to videotape and will be broadcast on NASA-TV for 

subsequent use by the media. 

NASA is using the IMAX film medium to document its space activities and better illustrate them for the 

public. This system, developed by the IMAX Corp., Toronto, Canada, uses specially designed motion 

picture cameras and projectors to record and display high-definition, large screen pictures. 

NASA has flown IMAX camera systems on many Shuttle missions. Footage from STS-79, as well as the 

recent STS-63, STS-71, and STS-74 missions will be incorporated in a large- format feature film about 

NASA's cooperation with Russia. The IMAX system consists of a space-qualified 65 mm camera, lenses, 

rolls of film, lights and other equipment necessary for filming. The IMAX and supporting equipment are 

stowed in the middeck of the orbiter. An audio tape recorder with microphones will be used in the crew 

compartment to record audio sounds and crew comments during camera operations. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 24 

SHUTTLE AMATEUR RADIO EXPERIMENT (SAREX) 

Ham radio operators and students will attempt to make radio contacts with the orbiting Shuttle as part of 

the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment, SAREX, during STS-79. Amateur radio has been flying aboard 

Space Shuttles since 1983. 

Amateur radio operators from around the world will point their antennas at Atlantis, hoping to find the 

astronauts on the air. Some of these amateurs have volunteered to assist student groups who have prepared 

questions to ask the astronauts during specially-scheduled contact times. 

To make their radio contacts, the astronauts will use a radio on board the Shuttle, on frequencies used by 

ham radio operators. For the students who participate in SAREX, the contact is the culmination of months 

of hard work. Many of the students have studied space science and communications, and have trained to 

use ham radio equipment and Shuttle- tracking computer software. 

To operate amateur radio from the Space Shuttle, one or more of the astronauts must have an amateur radio 

license. Mission Specialist Jay Apt's amateur radio call sign is N5QWL. Apt has flown on three previous 

Shuttle missions and has operated amateur radio during each flight. 

John Blaha also will serve as a Mission Specialist, and his ham radio call sign is KC5TZQ. Astronaut Carl 

Walz is KC5TIE; he participated in SAREX from Columbia during STS-65 in July 1994, before earning 

his amateur radio license. 

During SAREX missions, the astronauts will typically make the following types of amateur radio contacts: 

Scheduled radio contacts with schools; Random radio contacts with the amateur radio community; Personal 

contacts with the astronauts' families. 

SAREX is sponsored by the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), The Radio Amateur Satellite 

Corporation (AMSAT) and NASA. SAREX is supported by the Federal Communications Commission. 

Additional Information For Amateur Radio Operators 

Since this flight is a Shuttle-Mir docking mission, and SAREX and Mir amateur radio stations sometimes 

share the same downlink frequency (145.55 MHz), the SAREX Working Group has decided to use the 

following frequencies during this mission. 

The crew will use separate receive and transmit frequencies. PLEASE do not transmit on the Shuttle's 

DOWNLINK frequency. The DOWNLINK is your receiving frequency. The UPLINK is your transmitting 

frequency. 

FM Voice Downlink: 145.84 MHz 

FM Voice Uplink: 144.45, 144.47 MHz 

The crew will not favor either uplink frequency, so your ability to communicate with SAREX will be the 

"luck of the draw." Transmit only when the Shuttle is within range of your station, and when the Shuttle's 

station is on-the-air. 

CALL SIGNS: FM voice call signs N5QWL, KC5TIE, and KC5TZQ 

Members of the Goddard Amateur Radio Club (Greenbelt, MD) re-transmit live, Shuttle air-to-ground 

audio over the amateur frequencies from their club station, WA3NAN. To listen-in, tune to amateur radio 

high frequency (HF) bands at 3.86, 7.185, 14.295, 21.395, and 28.65 megahertz (MHz) and in the 

Maryland/DC area on a very high frequency (VHF) band at 147.45 MHz. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 25 

STS-79 CREWMEMBERS 

STS079-S-002 -- In various venues, these seven astronauts have been in training for several months for the 

different phases of the STS-79 mission scheduled for launch in August, 1996. Front row, left to right, are 

astronauts Jerome (Jay) Apt, mission specialist; Terrence W. Wilcutt, pilot; William F. Readdy, mission 

commander; Thomas D. Akers and Carl E. Walz, both mission specialists. On the back row are astronauts 

Shannon W. Lucid and John E. Blaha, both mission specialists. Lucid is currently aboard Russia's Mir 

Space Station, having been delivered there by the Space Shuttle Atlantis crew of STS-76 in March, 1996. 

She will return to Earth with this crew, while Blaha will launch with this crew and remain onboard Mir's 

Space Station for a subsequent tour of duty as a cosmonaut guest researcher. 

No copyright is asserted for this photograph. If a recognizable person appears in the photo, use for 

commercial purposes may infringe a right of privacy or publicity. It may not be used to state or imply the 

endorsement by NASA or by any NASA employee of a commercial product, process or service, or used in 

any other manner that might mislead. Accordingly, it is requested that if this photograph is used in 

advertising and other commercial promotion, layout and copy be submitted to NASA prior to release. 

PHOTO CREDIT: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 26 

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA 

William F. Readdy (Captain, U.S. Naval Reserve) will serve as Commander (CDR) for STS-79. Readdy 

was born January 24, 1952, in Quonset Point, RI, but considers McLean, VA, to be his hometown. He 

graduated from McLean High School in 1970 and received a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical 

engineering (with honors) from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1974. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Test 

Pilot School in the class of 1979. 

Readdy was selected as an astronaut by NASA in the 1987 group. A veteran pilot astronaut with two space 

flights, STS-42 in 1992 and STS-51 in 1993, he has logged over 429 hours in space. 

Terrence W. Wilcutt (Lieutenant Colonel, USMC) will serve as the Pilot (PLT) for STS-79. Wilcutt was 

born October 31, 1949, in Russellville, KY. He graduated from Southern High School, Louisville, KY, in 

1967 and received a bachelor of arts degree in math from Western Kentucky University in 1974. He 

graduated from the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in 1986. 

Wilcutt was selected by NASA in January 1990 and became an astronaut in July 1991. Wilcutt was the 

pilot on Mission STS-68 in 1994 and has logged 269 hours and 46 minutes in space. 

Jay Apt (Ph.D.) will serve as Mission Specialist-1 (MS-1) on STS-79. Apt was born April 28, 1949, in 

Springfield, MA, but considers Pittsburgh, PA, to be his hometown. He graduated from Shady Side 

Academy, Pittsburgh, PA, in 1967. Apt received a bachelor of arts degree in physics (magna cum laude), 

from Harvard College in 1971 and a doctorate in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology 

in 1976. 

Apt was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA in June 1985, and qualified as an astronaut in July 

1986. Apt has served as a mission specialist on three flights -- STS-37 in 1991, STS-47 in 1992 and STS59 in 1994. With the completion of his third flight, Apt has logged a total of 604 hours in space, including 

10 hours and 49 minutes on two space walks. 

Tom Akers (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF) will serve as Mission Specialist-2 (MS-2) on STS-79. Akers was 

born May 20, 1951, in St. Louis, MO, but was raised and educated in his hometown of Eminence, MO. He 

graduated from Eminence High School in 1969. Akers received a bachelor and master of science degrees 

in applied mathematics from the University of Missouri-Rolla in 1973 and 1975, respectively. He 

graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in Class 82B. 

Akers was selected for the astronaut program in 1987. A veteran of three space flights, STS-41 in 1990, 

STS-49 in 1992, and STS-61 in 1993, Akers has accumulated over 571 hours of space flight. 

Carl E. Walz (Lieutenant Colonel, USAF) will serve as Mission Specialist-3 (MS-3) on STS-79. Walz 

was born on September 6, 1955, in Cleveland, OH. He graduated from Charles F. Brush High School, 

Lyndhurst, OH in 1973. He received a bachelor of science degree in physics from Kent State University, 

OH, in 1977, and a master of science in solid state physics from John Carroll University, OH, in 1979. He 

graduated from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School in Class 83A. 

Walz was selected to be an astronaut in 1990. He is a veteran of two spaceflights, STS-51 in September 

1993 and STS-65 in July 1994. Walz has accumulated 590 hours in space. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 27 

BIOGRAPHICAL DATA 

John E. Blaha (Colonel, USAF, Ret.) will serve as Mission Specialist-4 (MS-4, ascent) from launch 

through docking with the Mir Space Station. After docking, a crew exchange will occur and Blaha will 

officially become a member of the Mir 22 crew. As a station crew member, Blaha will conduct material 

science, fluid science, and life science research for five months with the Mir 22 and Mir 23 Cosmonaut 

crews. In January 1997 Blaha will return to Earth on STS-81. 

Blaha was born August 26, 1942, in San Antonio, TX. He graduated from Granby High School in Norfolk, 

VA, in 1960. Blaha received a bachelor of science in engineering science from the United States Air Force 

Academy in 1965 and a master of science in astronomical engineering from Purdue University in 1966. He 

graduated in 1971 from the U.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School. 

Blaha was selected as an astronaut in May 1980. He has logged 33 days in space on four space missions. 

He served as commander on two flights - STS-58 in 1993 and STS-43 in 1991 and as Pilot on two flights - 

STS-33 and STS-29, both in 1989. 

Shannon W. Lucid (Ph.D.) (MS-4, descent) is the second NASA astronaut to serve as a researcher aboard 

the Mir station. She has been aboard the orbiting facility since Atlantis undocked during Mission STS-76 

in March. On September 7, 1996, Lucid will reach her 169th day in space, thus surpassing Elena 

Kondakova for the record of most time in space by any woman on a single flight. After the crew exchange 

with Blaha is completed, Lucid will serve as Mission Specialist-4 for the remainder of the STS-79 flight. 

Lucid was born January 14, 1943, in Shanghai, China, but considers Bethany, OK, to be her hometown. 

She graduated from Bethany High School, in 1960. Lucid received a bachelor of science degree in 

chemistry from the University of Oklahoma in 1963 and a master of science and doctor of philosophy 

degrees in biochemistry from the University of Oklahoma in 1970 and 1973, respectively. 

Lucid was selected by NASA in January 1978 and became an astronaut in August 1979. She served as a 

mission specialist on four Space Shuttle missions -- STS 51-G in 1985, STS-34 in 1989, STS-43 in 1991 

and STS-58 in 1993. She has logged over 838 hours in space. 

For complete biographical information on NASA astronauts, see the NASA Internet astronaut biography 

home page at address: http://www.jsc.nasa.gov/Bios/. 
Edited by Richard W. Orloff, 01/2001/Page 28 

SHUTTLE FLIGHTS AS OF SEPTEMBER 1996 

78 TOTAL FLIGHTS OF THE SHUTTLE SYSTEM -- 53 SINCE RETURN TO FLIGHT 

STS-70 

07/13/95 - 07/22/95 

STS-78 

000/00/96 – 

00/00/96 

STS-63 

02/03/95 - 02/11/95 

STS-75 

02/22/96 - 03/09/96 

STS-64 

09/09/94 - 09/20/94 

STS-73 

10/20/95 - 11/05/95 

STS-60 

02/03/94 - -2/11/94 

STS-65 

07/08/94 0 07/23/94 

STS-51 

09/12/93 - 09/22/93 

STS-62 

03/04/94 - 03/18/94 

STS-56 

04/08/83 - 04/17/93 

STS-76 

03/22/96 - 03/31/96 

STS-58 

10/18/93 - 11/01/93 

STS-53 

12/02/92 - 12/09/92 

STS-74 

11/12/95 - 11/20/95 

STS-55 

04/26/93 - 05/06/93 

STS-42 

01/22/92 - 01/30/92 

STS-71 

06/27/95 - 07/07/95 

STS-52 

10/22/92 - 11/01/92 

STS-48 

09/12/91 - 09/18/91 

STS-66 

11/03/94 - 11/14/94 

STS-50 

06/25/92 - 07/09/92 

STS-39 

04/28/91 - 05/06/91 

STS-46 

07/31/92 - 08/08/92 

STS-40 

06/05/91 - 06/14/91 

STS-41 

10/06/90 - 10/10/90 

STS-45 

03/24/92 - 04/02/92 

STS-77 

05/19/96 - 05/29/96 

STS-35 

12/02/90 - 12/10/90 

STS-51L 

01/28/86 

STS-31 

04/24/90 - 04/29/90 

STS-44 

11/24/91 - 12/01/91 

STS-72 

01/11/96 - 11/20/96 

STS-32 

01/09/90 - 01/20/90 

STS-61A 

10/30/85 - 11/06/85 

STS-33 

11/22/89 - 11/27/89 

STS-43 

08/02/91 - 08/11/91 

STS-69 

09/07/95 - 09/18/95 

STS-28 

08/08/89 - 08/13/89 

STS-51F 

07/29/85 - 08/06/85 

STS-29 

03/13/89 - 03/18/89 

STS-37 

04/05/91 - 04/11/91 

STS-67 

03/02/95 - 03/18/95 

STS-61C 

01/12/86 - 01/18/86 

STS-51B 

04/29/85 - 05/06/85 

STS-26 

09/29/88 - 10/03/88 

STS-38 

11/15/90 - 11/20/90 

STS-68 

09/30/94 - 10/11/94 

STS-9 

11/28/83 - 12/08/83 

STS-41G 

10/05/84 - 10/13/84 

STS-51-I 

08/27/85 - 09/03/85 

STS-36 

02/28/90 - 03/04/90 

STS-59 

04/09/94 – 04/20/94 

STS-5 

11/11/82 - 11/16/82 

STS-41C 

04/06/84 - 04/13/84 

STS-51G 

06/17/85 - 06/24/85 

STS-34 

10/18/89 - 10/23/89 

STS-61 

12/02/93 - 12/13/93 

STS-4 

06/27/82 - 07/04/82 

STS-41B 

02/03/84 - 02/11/84 

STS-51D 

04/12/85 - 04/19/85 

STS-30 

05/04/89 - 05/08/89 

STS-57 

06/21/93 - 07/01/93 

STS-3 

03/22/82 - 03/30/82 

STS-8 

08/30/83 - 09/05/83 

STS-51C 

01/24/85 - 01/27/85 

STS-27 

12/02/88 - 12/06/88 

STS-54 

01/13/93 - 01/19/93 

STS-2 

11/12/81 - 11/14/81 

STS-7 

06/18/83 - 06/24/83 

STS-51A 

11/08/84 - 11/16/84 

STS-61B 

11/26/85 - 12/03/85 

STS-47 

09/12/92 - 09/20/92 

STS-1 

04/12/81 - 04/14/81 

STS-6 

04/04/83 - 04/09/83 

STS-41D 

08/30/84 - 09/05/84 

STS-51J 

10/03/85 - 10/07/85 

STS-49 

05/07/92 - 05/16/92 

 

OV-102 

Columbia 

(20 flights)

OV-099 

Challenger 

(10 flights)

OV-103 

Discovery 

(21 flights)

OV-104 

Atlantis 

(16 flights)

OV-105 

Endeavour 

(11 flights)