The Flickr Valerytokarev Image Generatr

This spectacular photo is of the May 27, 1999 liftoff of the Orbiter Discovery on STS-96. The STS-96 mission, of almost 10 days, was the second International Space Station (ISS) assembly and resupply flight and the first flight to dock with the station. The crew installed foot restraints and the Russian built crane, STRELA. The Shuttle's SPACEHAB double module carried internal and resupply cargo for station outfitting and the Russian cargo crane was carried aboard the shuttle in the integrated Cargo Carrier (ICC).

NASA Media Usage Guidelines

Credit: NASA
Image Number: SPD-MARSH-9903915
Date: May 27, 1999

When this STS-96 litho became available for a discount due to some dings in a corner, I jumped on the chance. Not only because it bears the signature of Air Force Col. Rick D. Husband, who died on STS-107/Columbia, but there are some other great astronauts on this flight:

Ret. Navy Capt. Kent V. Rominger, commander: Flew five times total, including STS-73/Columbia; STS-80/Columbia; STS-85/Discovery, all as pilot; and this and STS-100/Endeavour as commander.

As mission specialists:
Daniel T. Barry - Did a stint on "Survivor" as well as flew on STS-72/Endeavour and STS-105/Discovery;

Tamara E. Jernigan - Performed an EVA on this, her last flight, and flew on STS-40/Columbia; STS-52/Columbia; STS-67/Endeavour and STS-80/Columbia;

Ellen Ochoa - Now deputy director at the Johnson Space Center, Ochoa flew on STS-56/Discovery and STS-110/Atlantis;

Julie Payette - Now Scientific Delegate to the United States for the Quebec Government, she remains an astronaut. STS-96 was her first flight, STS-127/Endeavour her second.

Russian Air Force Col. Valery I. Tokarev also flew on STS-96 as his first mission. He also trained as flight engineer for ISS Exp. 8 and commander for Exp. 10; he flew as flight engineer on ISS Exp. 12.

(Greg Olsen, the private astronaut on Soyuz TMA-7, said he remains friends with retired Army Col. William S. McArthur Jr., one of his crewmates. But they tried getting Tokarev for a reunion, who declined.)