Views of the approach of the STS-79 orbiter Atlantis for docking with Mir

NM22-427-023 (20 Sept. 1996) --- This photograph of the space shuttle Atlantis was taken from approximately 170 feet away by astronaut Shannon W. Lucid, winding up her duties as cosmonaut guest researcher onboard Russia?s Mir Space Station. Lucid was in Mir?s Base Block Module. The Spacehab double module, a first time space flyer, is seen in the aft payload bay. Its tunnel can be seen connecting to both Atlantis? crew cabin and the androgynous docking adapter. Also seen in the forward bay is the Ku-band antenna used for communications. Though not recognizable in this photo, several Atlantis crew members had their ?noses to the windows? as NASA was about to make its first crew member exchange with Mir. Astronaut John E. Blaha was onboard Atlantis as Lucid?s replacement.