The doors of the International Space Station opened for the first time on 10 December after astronauts from the STS88/Endeavour Space Shuttle mission bolted the first two modules together in space.
Although the completion of the work marked the start of a new era in space exploration, full operations will not begin until January 2000 at the earliest.
Bob Cabana, commander of the STS88/Endeavour, and Russian mission specialist Sergei Krikalev - who will be flight engineer on the first manned occupation-floated from the US node, Unity, into the Russian Zarya module.
After earlier spacewalks to connect cables between the Zarya and the Unity that were attached to a docking port in the Shuttle's payload bay, the astronauts were able to transfer more than 250kg (550lb) of equipment in preparation for future crews.
The STS88 crew also installed air ducts and fans and checked equipment, including a computerised video system.
Endeavour was scheduled to return to earth on 14 December, leaving the Zarya-Unity alone in orbit until May, when the STS96/Discovery will be launched on a logistics delivery mission.
Russia is to launch its vital service module in July 1999.
Source: Flight International
