KSC-99pp0576

The STS-96 crew talk to the media at KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility after arriving aboard T-38 jet aircraft. From left are Mission Specialists Tamara E. Jernigan, Valery Ivanovich Tokarev and Julie Payette, Commander Kent V. Rominger (at microphone), Mission Specialists Ellen Ochoa, Pilot Rick D. Husband and Daniel T. Barry. The crew will take part in various launch preparations before the scheduled liftoff on May 27 at 6:48 a.m. EDT. STS-96 is a 10-day logistics and resupply mission for the International Space Station, carrying 5000 pounds of supplies to be stored aboard the station for use by future crews, including laptop computers, cameras, tools, spare parts, and clothing. The mission also includes such payloads as a Russian crane, the Strela; a U.S.-built crane; the Spacehab Oceaneering Space System Box (SHOSS), a logistics items carrier; and STARSHINE, a student-involved experiment. The mission will include a space walk to attach the cranes to the outside of the ISS for use in future construction. After the 10-day mission, landing is expected at the SLF on June 6 about 3:25 a.m. EDT