Space Shuttle Endeavour commenced its STS-111 mission from the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on June 5, 2002, carrying a crew of six astronauts, including Franklin Chang-Díaz. The primary purpose of this mission was to transport the Expedition 5 crew to the International Space Station (ISS) for a crew rotation, replacing Expedition 4. Chang-Díaz's participation was especially noteworthy as he became the second astronaut in history to complete seven spaceflights, showcasing the advancements in human spaceflight and the experience gained from multiple missions. During the mission, the crew was responsible for conducting scientific research and maintenance tasks on the ISS, contributing valuable data enhancing humanity’s understanding of various scientific fields.

The crew aboard Endeavour consisted of astronauts who were well-trained to perform essential tasks during their time in orbit. Among the scientific experiments conducted were studies on materials science and biology, demonstrating the continuing importance of the ISS as a unique research laboratory in low Earth orbit. The STS-111 mission further solidified its role in international collaboration in space research, as the ISS brought together contributions from space agencies around the world, including NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, and others. This mission also played a key role in establishing a continuous human presence in space.

The successful completion of the STS-111 mission marked a continuing evolution in human space exploration and represented a critical phase in the lifecycle of the ISS. As the mission concluded with a safe landing, it underscored the reliability of the Space Shuttle program and its key role in advancing space technology and human exploration objectives.