STS-88

STS-88
source
Mission name	STS-88
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch pad	Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39
Launch date	December 4, 1998
Landing date	December 16, 1998
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center

STS-88 was the first International Space Station assembly mission, launched by NASA on December 4, 1998, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The mission was crewed by Robert Cabana, Frederick Sturckow, James Newman, Jerry Ross, Nancy Currie, and Sergei Krikalev of Roscosmos, and marked the beginning of the International Space Station program, a collaborative project between NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA. The mission involved the deployment of the Unity module, the first United States-built component of the International Space Station, and the connection of the Zarya functional cargo block, built by Roscosmos and launched by a Proton rocket from Baikonur Cosmodrome. The crew also performed several spacewalks, including one by Jerry Ross and James Newman, to connect the Unity module to the Zarya module.

Mission overview

The mission was designed to be the first International Space Station assembly mission, with the primary objective of deploying the Unity module and connecting it to the Zarya functional cargo block. The Unity module was built by Boeing and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, and was designed to serve as a connecting point for future International Space Station modules. The mission also included the deployment of two Get Away Special payloads, built by University of Michigan and University of Colorado Boulder, and a MightySat payload, built by Air Force Research Laboratory and University of New Mexico. The crew also conducted several experiments, including a Space Experiment Module experiment, built by NASA's Johnson Space Center, and a Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System experiment, built by NASA's Ames Research Center and University of California, San Francisco.

Crew

The crew of the mission consisted of Robert Cabana, the mission commander, Frederick Sturckow, the pilot, and four mission specialists: James Newman, Jerry Ross, Nancy Currie, and Sergei Krikalev. The crew was supported by a team of NASA engineers and scientists, including William Readdy of NASA's Johnson Space Center, and Valery Ryumin of Roscosmos. The crew also received support from Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center, led by Richard Covey and Charles Precourt.

Mission highlights

The mission highlights included the deployment of the Unity module, the connection of the Zarya functional cargo block, and the performance of several spacewalks. The crew also conducted several experiments, including a Space Experiment Module experiment, and a Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System experiment. The mission marked the beginning of the International Space Station program, a collaborative project between NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA. The mission also demonstrated the capabilities of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which was built by Rockwell International and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center.

Spacewalks

The crew performed three spacewalks during the mission, including one by Jerry Ross and James Newman, to connect the Unity module to the Zarya module. The spacewalks were supported by NASA's Johnson Space Center, and Roscosmos's Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center. The crew used Extravehicular Mobility Unit suits, built by NASA's Johnson Space Center, and David Clark Company, to perform the spacewalks. The spacewalks were also supported by Mission Control Center at NASA's Johnson Space Center, led by Richard Covey and Charles Precourt.

Payload and objectives

The payload of the mission included the Unity module, the Zarya functional cargo block, and several experiments, including a Space Experiment Module experiment, and a Cellular Biotechnology Operations Support System experiment. The objectives of the mission included the deployment of the Unity module, the connection of the Zarya functional cargo block, and the performance of several spacewalks. The mission also aimed to demonstrate the capabilities of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and to test the systems and procedures for future International Space Station assembly missions. The payload was built by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, Boeing, and Roscosmos, and was launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39.

Legacy and significance

The mission marked the beginning of the International Space Station program, a collaborative project between NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA. The mission demonstrated the capabilities of the Space Shuttle Endeavour, and tested the systems and procedures for future International Space Station assembly missions. The mission also paved the way for future International Space Station missions, including STS-92, STS-97, and STS-100. The International Space Station program has since become a major international collaboration, with contributions from NASA, Roscosmos, JAXA, ESA, and CSA, and has led to numerous scientific discoveries and advancements in space exploration. The mission has also been recognized by several awards, including the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, and the Russian Federation's Medal for Merit in Space Exploration. Category:Space Shuttle missions