STS-87

STS-87 was a Space Shuttle mission launched from Launch Complex 39B of the Kennedy Space Center on 19 November 1997. It was the 88th flight of the Space Shuttle and the 24th flight of Columbia. The mission goals were to conduct experiments using the United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4), conduct two EVAs, and deploy the SPARTAN-201 experiment. This mission marked the first time an EVA was performed from Columbia. An EVA from Columbia was originally planned for STS-5 in 1982 but was canceled due to spacesuit problems. It also marked the first EVA conducted by a Japanese astronaut, Takao Doi.

STS-87 Media

• 

  STS-87 in-flight crew portrait

• 

  The Spartan 201 satellite, held in the grasp of the Space Shuttle Columbia's Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm, is backdropped over white clouds and blue waters of the Pacific Ocean. Long Island, off the coast of Papua New Guinea, is barely visible in the lower left corner.

• 

  Animated GIF of dendrite formation – NASA

• 

  Winston Scott retrieves Sprint