On the 27th of May, 1999 Space Shuttle Discovery left KSC for the second flight to the International Space Station. The crew of STS-96 consisted of five Americans, one Canadian and one Russian cosmonaut. The main task of the crew was placing a American crane on the outside of Unity. Also they placed the first pieces of a Russian crane to the outside of Zarya. Both took place during an EVA carryed out by Tamara Jernigan and Daniel Barry. On the photo you can see Jernigan handeling the American crane. Also the crew repaired the ECOMM communication system inside Unity, in Zarya they replaced some bateries and placed isolation material to keep the noise level down inside the station. Also the transfered drinking water and equipment for the first station crew, from the Shuttle to ISS. The plan was at that time that the first crew would arrive in February 2000. Finaly Discovery raised the orbit of the complex with some miles. In total the Shuttle stayed a week atached to ISS.
Zvezda
(Flight 2R)
After STS-96 returned to Earth it was waiting for Zverzda. Originaly scheduled for launch in November 1999, but due to problems in Russia with money and the Proton rocket that would have placed Zverzda in orbit, the construction of the Internation Space Station came to a stop. Zverzda is 14 meters long and is necessary for altitude control and life support to the first crew of the Station. Zvezda will be launched atop a Proton rocket on July 08, 2000. The ISS will dock with Zvezda about two weeks later near the end of July 2000. Zvezda has six docking ports, the front of Zvezda will dock with Zarya. On the aft of Zvezda, Soyuz capsules, for crew transfer, and progress cargoships can dock.
May 27 1999:
On the 27th of May, 1999 Space Shuttle Discovery left KSC for the second flight to the International Space Station. The crew of STS-96 consisted of five Americans, one Canadian and one Russian cosmonaut.
After STS-96 returned to Earth it was waiting for Zverzda. Originaly scheduled for launch in November 1999, but due to problems in Russia with money and the Proton rocket that would have placed Zverzda in orbit, the construction of the Internation Space Station came to a stop. Zverzda is 14 meters long and is necessary for altitude control and life support to the first crew of the Station. Zvezda will be launched atop a Proton rocket on July 08, 2000. The ISS will dock with Zvezda about two weeks later near the end of July 2000. Zvezda has six docking ports, the front of Zvezda will dock with Zarya. On the aft of Zvezda, Soyuz capsules, for crew transfer, and progress cargoships can dock.
