View of Space Shuttle Atlantis during approach and docking to Mir Space Station

NM21-727-030 (23 March 1996) --- This view of the Space Shuttle Atlantis was taken by the two Mir-21 cosmonaut crew members onboard Russia's Mir Space Station, during rendezvous and docking operations on March 23, 1996. The Orbiter Docking System (ODS), the connective tunnel and the Spacehab Module can be seen in Atlantis' cargo bay. With the subsequent delivery of astronaut Shannon W. Lucid to the Mir, the Mir-21 crew grew to three, as the mission specialist quickly become a cosmonaut guest researcher. She will spend approximately 140 days on Mir before returning to Earth.