STS-79 was the fourth in a series of NASA docking missions to the Russian Mir Space Station, leading up to the construction and operation of the international Space Station (ISS). As the first flight of the Spacehab Double Module, STS-79 encompassed research, test and evaluation of ISS, as well as logistics resupply for the Mir Space Station.

STS-79 was also the first NASA-Mir American crew member exchange mission, with John Blaha (NASA-Mir 3) replacing Shannon Lucid (NASA-Mir 2) aboard the Mir Space Station. The lettering of their names either up or down denotes transport up to the Mir Station or return to Earth on STS-79.

The STS-79 patch is in the shape of the Space Shuttle's airlock hatch, symbolizing the gateway to international cooperation in space. The patch illustrates the historic cooperation between the United States and Russia in space. With the flags of Russia and the United States as a backdrop, the handshake of EVA-suited crew members symbolizes mission teamwork, not only of the crew members but also the teamwork between both countries' space personnel in science, engineering, medicine, and logistics.