STS-84 facts for kids
Atlantis lifts off from LC-39A to begin STS-84
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| Mission type | Shuttle-Mir |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | 9 days, 4 hours, 19 minutes, 55 seconds |
| Distance travelled | 6,000,000 kilometres (3,700,000 mi) |
| Orbits completed | 144 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Space Shuttle Atlantis |
| Landing mass | 100,285 kilograms (221,091 lb) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 7 |
| Members |
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| Launching |
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| Landing |
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| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 15 May 1997, 09:07:48.62 UTC |
| Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 24 May 1997, 13:27:44 UTC |
| Landing site | Kennedy SLF Runway 33 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 377 kilometres (234 mi) |
| Apogee | 393 kilometres (244 mi) |
| Inclination | 51.7 degrees |
| Period | 92.3 min |
| Docking with Mir | |
| Docking port | SO starboard |
| Docking date | 17 May 1997, 02:33:20 UTC |
| Undocking date | 22 May 1997, 01:03:56 UTC |
| Time docked | 4 days, 22 hours, 30 minutes 36 seconds |
  Left to right – Seated: Linenger, Precourt, Foale; Standing: Clervoy, Collins, Lu, Kondakova, Noriega |
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STS-84 was a space mission where the Space Shuttle Atlantis flew to the Mir space station. This mission was part of a special program between NASA and Russia. It helped deliver supplies and change crew members on the Mir station.
Contents
Meet the Astronauts: STS-84 Crew
The STS-84 mission had a team of seven astronauts. They worked together to make the mission a success. Here are the main crew members:
- Commander: Charles Precourt (USA) – This was his third space flight.
- Pilot: Eileen M. Collins (USA) – She was on her second space flight.
- Mission Specialist 1: Jean-François Clervoy (France) – From the ESA, this was his second flight.
- Mission Specialist 2: Carlos I. Noriega (Peru/USA) – This was his first trip to space.
- Mission Specialist 3: Edward T. Lu (USA) – This was also his first space flight.
- Mission Specialist 4: Yelena V. Kondakova (Russia) – From the RKA, this was her second and last flight.
Astronaut Exchange on Mir
One of the most important parts of STS-84 was changing astronauts on the Mir space station.
- Going to Mir: C. Michael Foale (UK/USA) – He was on his fourth space flight and stayed on Mir.
- Returning from Mir: Jerry M. Linenger (USA) – He came back to Earth with Atlantis. This was his second and last flight.
What Was the STS-84 Mission About?
The STS-84 mission was the sixth time a Space Shuttle docked with the Russian Mir space station. This was a big part of the NASA/Mir program. This program included nine Shuttle-Mir dockings in total. It also involved seven long stays for U.S. astronauts on the Russian station.
Bringing Supplies to Mir
A key goal of STS-84 was to move supplies to and from the Mir station.
- About 3,318 kilograms (7,315 pounds) of water and other items were moved.
- Atlantis delivered 465 kg (1,025 lb) of water to Mir.
- It also brought 383.2 kg (845 lb) of U.S. science equipment.
- Plus, 1,168.6 kg (2,576 lb) of Russian supplies were transferred.
- In return, Atlantis brought back science samples and data to Earth.
Changing Astronauts on Mir
This mission was special because it swapped out astronauts. C. Michael Foale took the place of Jerry Linenger on Mir. Linenger had been on Mir since January 15, 1997. He spent 123 days on Mir, which was a very long time!
Linenger's Time on Mir
During Linenger's stay, some important things happened:
- He completed the first U.S.-Russian spacewalk. This happened on April 29, 1997.
- He worked with Mir Commander Vasily Tsibliyev. They attached a special monitor to the outside of the station. This monitor helped study how space affects mirrors.
- A small fire broke out on Mir on February 23. It didn't cause much damage. The crew had to wear masks for a while until the air was clean.
Docking with Mir
The Space Shuttle Atlantis docked with Mir on May 17, 1997, at 2:33 AM UTC. This happened high above the Adriatic Sea.
- The hatches between the two spacecraft opened a few hours later.
- The STS-84 crew met the Mir 23 crew, including Linenger.
- Linenger and Foale officially switched places later that day.
- Moving items between the two spacecraft went very smoothly.
- They transferred about 249 different items.
- About 450 kg (990 lb) of water was moved to Mir.
- In total, about 3,400 kg (7,500 lb) of water, experiment samples, and supplies were exchanged.
Science Experiments in Space
While on Mir, astronaut C. Michael Foale worked on many science projects.
- He conducted 35 different investigations.
- These studies covered topics like advanced technology and human life in space.
- Many of these experiments were continued from previous missions.
- Seven new experiments were also planned. These included studies on biology and growing crystals in space.
Leaving Mir and Heading Home
Atlantis undocked from Mir on May 22, 1997, at 1:04 AM UTC.
- Unlike other missions, Atlantis did not fly around Mir.
- Instead, it stopped three times while backing away.
- This was to collect data from a European sensor device. This device was designed to help future spacecraft dock with the International Space Station.
Other activities during the mission included:
- Using the Biorack facility inside Atlantis.
- Taking photos of Mir while docked.
- Collecting air samples to check the environment.
- Monitoring radiation levels in space.
The Atlantis spacecraft worked perfectly throughout the mission. It carried a large SpaceHab Double Module and an Orbiter Docking System.
Images for kids
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Atlantis lifts off from LC-39A to begin STS-84
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Left to right – Seated: Linenger, Precourt, Foale; Standing: Clervoy, Collins, Lu, Kondakova, Noriega
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Comet Hale–Bopp as seen by an astronaut during the mission.
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Atlantis lands safely after the STS-84 mission.
