STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross takes part in a complete suit check before launch.

In the Operations and Checkout Building, STS-88 Mission Specialist Jerry L. Ross (right) takes part in a complete suit check before launch. Standing with him is Owen Bertrand, chief of the Vehicle Integration Test office at Johnson Space Center. This is Bertrand's last launch before retiring in January. Mission STS-88 is expected to launch at 3:56 a.m. EST with the six-member crew aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour on Dec. 3. Endeavour carries the Unity connecting module, which the crew will be mating with the Russian-built Zarya control module already in orbit. In addition to Unity, two small replacement electronics boxes are on board for possible repairs to Zarya batteries. The mission is expected to last 11 days, 19 hours and 49 minutes, landing at 10:17 p.m. EST on Dec. 14