STS-88

STS-88
Name	STS-88
Mission type	International Space Station assembly
Operator	NASA
Mission duration	11 days, 19 hours, 18 minutes, 47 seconds
Distance travelled	4.7 million miles (7.6 million km)
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch date	December 4, 1998, 08:35:34 UTC
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A
Landing date	December 16, 1998, 03:53:00 UTC
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center, SLF
Orbit reference	Geocentric orbit
Orbit regime	Low Earth orbit
Orbit periapsis	388 kilometres (241 mi)
Orbit apoapsis	401 kilometres (249 mi)
Orbit inclination	51.6 degrees
Orbit period	92.4 minutes
Programme	Space Shuttle program
Previous mission	STS-95
Next mission	STS-96

STS-88 was the first Space Shuttle mission dedicated to the assembly of the International Space Station. Launched aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour in December 1998, its primary objective was to deliver and connect the American-built Unity module to the Russian-launched Zarya control module. This historic flight marked the beginning of on-orbit station construction and involved extensive spacewalk operations.

Mission overview

The mission was a critical component of the International Space Station program, representing the first U.S.-led assembly flight. Managed by NASA from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the primary payload was the Unity connecting module, also known as Node 1. The flight plan required a precise rendezvous with the already-orbiting Zarya module, which had been launched weeks earlier on a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. Successful docking and connection of these two elements created the foundational structure for all future station expansion, a major milestone for the partnership between NASA, Roscosmos, and other international partners.

Crew

The crew consisted of six astronauts, a mix of experienced veterans and newer fliers. The commander was Robert D. Cabana, a former United States Marine Corps pilot, with Frederick W. Sturckow serving as pilot. The mission specialists were Nancy J. Currie, Jerry L. Ross, James H. Newman, and Russian cosmonaut Sergei Krikalev from Roscosmos. Ross and Newman were both seasoned spacewalkers, while Krikalev, a veteran of long-duration stays on the Mir space station, brought invaluable experience in orbital operations. Currie was responsible for operating the Shuttle's robotic arm during the complex docking and module mating procedures.

Mission highlights

Following launch from Kennedy Space Center, the crew's first major task was using the robotic arm to lift the Unity module from the payload bay. On the fourth flight day, Endeavour successfully rendezvoused and captured the free-flying Zarya module. Using the robotic arm, Currie meticulously berthed Zarya to one of Unity's ports, physically joining the first two station components. The crew then entered the new complex to activate systems, establishing initial habitation. The mission also deployed two small satellites, MightySat-1 and SAC-A, for the United States Air Force and the Argentine Space Agency, respectively.

Spacewalks

Three major spacewalks were conducted to complete the electrical and data connections between the modules. All spacewalks were performed by the teams of Jerry L. Ross and James H. Newman. During the first excursion, they connected power and data cables, installed EVA handholds, and removed launch restraints. The second spacewalk focused on installing communications antennas and continuing cable work. The final spacewalk involved deploying equipment, testing the Simplified Aid for EVA Rescue system, and completing final outfitting tasks. These activities totaled over 21 hours of external work.

Mission insignia

The official mission patch, designed by the crew, features the Space Shuttle Endeavour approaching the newly joined Unity and Zarya modules against the backdrop of Earth. The International Space Station's distinctive solar arrays are prominently displayed. The names of the six crew members encircle the design, with the flags of the United States and Russia signifying the binational cooperation of the flight. A small NASA "worm" logo is also present on the patch.

Wake-up calls

Following a NASA tradition, the crew was awakened each day by a specially selected musical track. The songs were often chosen by family members or had thematic significance to the mission's goals. These wake-up calls were transmitted from Mission Control Center in Houston and included a variety of genres. The practice served as a morale booster and a daily connection to home for the astronauts during their intensive mission to begin building the orbital outpost.

Category:Space Shuttle missions Category:International Space Station Category:1998 in spaceflight Category:Spacecraft launched in 1998