While on a mission to deliver astronaut Tamara St. James for an extended stay aboard the Mir space station, shuttle Atlantis is severely damaged while trying to execute an emergency disengage maneuver when it becomes apparent that the senior Soviet officer aboard Mir has suffered a breakdown and has become dangerously irrational. It is decided to train a second team and "quick prep" a second shuttle to aid in the repair, and hopefully the safe return, of Atlantis.