STS-85 was the 20th flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery and took place in 1997 as part of NASA's Space Shuttle Program. Launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 7, the mission primarily focused on scientific research, including significant experiments in materials science, fluid dynamics, and various other disciplines requiring the unique environment of microgravity. The mission utilized several payloads including the Japanese H-II satellite, which was an important addition to the growing international collaboration in space exploration. The crew consisted of six astronauts: Commander Curtis L. Brown Jr., Pilot Steven W. Lindsey, Payload Commander Koichi Wakata from the National Space Development Agency of Japan, along with Mission Specialists Charles D. Gemar, John M. Lounge, and Michael A. Baker. During the 11-day mission, the crew performed a variety of scientific operations that took advantage of the Shuttle's specific capabilities. Notably, the crew was involved in a multi-faceted study designed to develop improved materials and separation techniques, with potential applications on Earth, particularly relating to advanced materials technologies. Moreover, the mission showcased the cooperative efforts of NASA and its international partners, demonstrating how space missions could enhance scientific understanding through collaboration. The return to Earth culminated in a successful landing at Edwards Air Force Base in California, concluding another chapter in the Shuttle program that reaffirmed its critical role in advancing human knowledge about space and its capabilities for scientific research.