21.   The U.S. and Russian space agencies plan to keep the two spacecraft joined for nearly five days of crew and equipment exchanges, medical research and ceremonial activities.

22.   The Soyuz and Mir linked as the two spacecraft soared high above Russia.

23.   The two spacecraft are slated to separate Thursday night.

24.   The two spacecraft are to remain docked until early Tuesday, permitting an exchange of crew members, equipment and supplies as well as joint medical research.

25.   The two spacecraft are scheduled to stay joined until Monday, allowing the crews to exchange several tons of food, clothing, research equipment and other supplies.

26.   The U.S. and Russian space agencies plan to keep the two spacecraft linked for five days, allowing a fast-paced cargo exchange.

27.   The velocity of the two spacecraft will be about five miles per second.

28.   Then the two spacecraft joined flawlessly.

29.   U.S. and Russian ground control teams, in constant contact long before the launch, intend to leave the two spacecraft linked until early Saturday.

30.   When the hatches separating the two spacecraft swung open, the six-member shuttle crew was greeted warmly by Mir cosmonauts Valery Korzun and Alexander Kaleri.