"Some people say we should stop flying the shuttle because we've had an accident - frankly two accidents, " she said.

BBC: NEWS | Science/Nature | Shuttle crew reflect on crucial flight

The two monkeys were part of the joint Russian-American Bion 11 mission in 1997, flying aboard the space shuttle.

BBC: 'Hidden health risks' of space travel

Although vehicles approaching the space station, such as the shuttle, will frequently hold their position just metres away from the platform, this formation flying is very short-lived.

BBC: German radar satellites fly tight space waltz