KSC-97pc122

STS-81 Mission Specialist J.M. "Jerry" Linenger talks to the press at the KSC Shuttle Landing Facility after the flight crew arrived at the space center for the final countdown preparations for the fifth Shuttle-Mir docking mission. The 10-day mission will feature the transfer of Linenger to Mir to replace astronaut John Blaha, who has been on the orbital laboratory since Sept. 19, 1996. Linenger will be the fourth U.S. astronaut to stay onboard the Russian space station and serve as a Mir crew member. Mission Commander Michael A. Baker is to his left