Space Shuttle Discovery was launched on mission STS-91, which served as the final mission of the Shuttle-Mir program, a significant collaborative initiative between the United States and Russia in the post-Cold War era. This program aimed to foster international cooperation in human space exploration and research. STS-91 marked an important milestone in the lead-up to the construction of the International Space Station and the future of international partnerships in space research.

The STS-91 mission took place over 9 days, during which the crew completed a series of scientific experiments and technology demonstrations while docked with the Mir space station. Notably, this mission involved transferring crew members and cargo, emphasizing the importance of logistical support in joint space missions. The shuttle's cargo included scientific instruments and experiments that would further assist in understanding the impacts of long-duration space travel on the human body, providing data crucial for future deep-space exploration.

During the mission, the crew executed an extensive schedule of experiments, which helped in studying microgravity effects on biological organisms and the processes relevant to life in space. After completing its mission objectives, Discovery safely returned to Earth, landing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marked a significant concluding chapter for the Shuttle-Mir program, setting the stage for future endeavors involving the International Space Station.