IMAGE 1200_99\243.Lbm,Crew patch for the STS-45 mission, devoted to study of the Earth and space environment with the ATLAS (atmospheric laboratory for applications and science). It features prominently the Earth, and the setting Sun, the colours of which will be measured to monitor gases in the atmosphere.
IMAGE 1200_99\246.Lbm,In training for the STS-45 mission, Byron Lichtenberg familiarizes himself with the pole escape system now fitted to all shuttle orbiters to facilitate emergency escape.
IMAGE 1200_99\247.Lbm,Most of the STS-45 crew experiencing brief moments of weightlessness in the KC-135 zero-g aircraft. Clockwise from the top, they are Michael Foale, Dirk Frimout, Brian Duffy, Charles Chappell (back-up crew), Charles Bolden, Byron Lichtenberg and Kathryn Sullivan.
IMAGE 1200_99\248.Lbm,The STS-45 crew in training on the pad at the Kennedy Space Center, practising slide-wire escape procedures for use during an on-the-pad emergency.
IMAGE 1200_99\249.Lbm,Atlantis and the STS-45 shuttle stack sit on the mobile launch platform at Pad 39A, waiting for lift-off.
IMAGE 1200_99\250.Lbm,Kathryn Sullivan pictured in her flight suit in the white room minutes before she climbs in to Atlantis. Behind is Brian Duffy.
IMAGE 1200_99\251.Lbm,Atlantis joins the birds as it powers off the launch pad to start the STS-45 ATLAS mission on March 24, 1992.
IMAGE 1200_99\252.Lbm,The external tank, jettisoned by Atlantis after about 8 minutes of flight. At top can be seen the attach points and liquid oxygen line. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\253.Lbm,The 'Freedom Star' returns to Port Canaveral with one of Atlantis's two solid rocket boosters. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\254.Lbm,The pallet carrying the ATLAS payload sits in the payload bay. In the foreground is the instrument command and control 'igloo'.
IMAGE 1200_99\255.Lbm,Topsy-turvy mealtime on Atlantis, with Charles Bolden (top) and, going clockwise, Brian Duffy, Dirk Frimout and Kathryn Sullivan. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\256.Lbm,Kathryn Sullivan briefs ground control on camera usage. She is located on Atlantis's aft flight deck. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\257.Lbm,Mission specialist Michael Foale pictured on Atlantis's aft flight deck during a daylight pass over the Earth. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\258.Lbm,Commander Charles Bolden speaks to radio 'hams' on Earth from his seat on Atlantis's flight deck. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\259.Lbm,Pilot Brian Duffy struggles to get to grips with his paperwork on Atlantis's flight deck. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\260.Lbm,ESA astronaut Dirk Frimout, from Belgium, working at the data display unit on the aft flight deck of Atlantis. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\261.Lbm,David Leestma takes a sample of the cabin air with a microbial air sampler during checks on on-board air monitoring equipment. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\262.Lbm,Dirk Frimout and Michael Foale at work on a drug-related medical experiment. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\263.Lbm,The crew on mission STS-45 and a statue named Oscar. They participate in the 1992 Academy Award motion-picture presentations. From the left, the crew are: Dirk Frimout, Kathryn Sullivan, Brian Duffy, David Leestma, Charles Bolden, Michael Foale and Byron Lichtenberg.
IMAGE 1200_99\264.Lbm,The Bight of Bangkok and the city of Bangkok, capital of Thailand. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\265.Lbm,STS-45 view of Mount St Helens in Washington State, surrounded by the ash cover that resulted from the May 1980 eruption of the dormant volcano. The snow-covered peaks to the north are Mount Rainier (left) and Mount Adams.
IMAGE 1200_99\266.Lbm,The STS-45 astronauts capture this spectacular display of the aurora australis over the South Atlantic Ocean.
IMAGE 1200_99\267.Lbm,The Atlantis astronauts photograph this, the 112th sunrise they have seen since they went into orbit. (STS-45)
IMAGE 1200_99\268.Lbm,The main landing gear of Atlantis touches down on the runaway of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 2, 1992, at the completion of the nine-day STS-45 ATLAS mission.
