Shuttle launch. Launch of the space shuttle Endeavour from Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA, at the beginning of mission STS-88 on 4th December 1998. Aboard were astronauts Robert D. Cabana (mission commander), Frederick W, Sturckow (pilot), Nancy J. Currie, Jerry L. Ross and James H. Newman (all mission specialists). Also onboard was cosmonaut Sergei K. Krikalev, a mission specialist representing the Russian Space Agency (RSA). The mission was part of the construction of the international space station (ISS). The purpose of STS-88 was to join the American built Unity node to the Russian built Zarya cargo block. The mission lasted 12 days.