KSC-98pc843

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross removes a cover from the Unity connecting module, part of the International Space Station, while other crew members and technicians watch. The Unity will be mated to the Zarya control module, which will already be in orbit. The STS-88 crew is participating in the Crew Equipment Interface Test (CEIT) held in the Space Station Processing Facility. The CEIT gives astronauts an opportunity for a hands-on look at the payloads on which they will be working while on orbit. STS-88 will be the first Space Shuttle launch for the International Space Station. Launch is scheduled for December 1998