Challenger Missions
In 1982, the Challenger rolled off the assembly line as the second space shuttle of the US fleet. The Challenger flew nine successful missions before that fateful day of the disaster in 1986. In 1991, the shuttle Endeavour joined the fleet to replace the Challenger, again bringing the number of ships to four. Discover the missions of the Space Shuttle Challenger.
STS-41G Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
First flight to include two women, Ride and Sullivan. Sullivan first American woman to walk in space. Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) deployed less than nine hours into flight. Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-3 (OSTA-3) carried three experiments in payload bay. Components of Orbital Refueling System (ORS) connected, demonstrating it is possible to refuel satellites in orbit.
First flight to include two women, Ride and Sullivan. Sullivan first American woman to walk in space. Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) deployed less than nine hours into flight. Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-3 (OSTA-3) carried three experiments in payload bay. Components of Orbital Refueling System (ORS) connected, demonstrating it is possible to refuel satellites in orbit.
STS-61A Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
Dedicated German Spacelab (D-1) mission conducted in long module configuration, which featured Vestibular Sled designed to give scientists data on functional organization of human vestibular and orientation systems. Spacelab D-1 encompassed 75 numbered experiments, most performed more than once. Mission included basic and applied microgravity research in fields of materials science, life sciences and technology, and communications and navigation.
Dedicated German Spacelab (D-1) mission conducted in long module configuration, which featured Vestibular Sled designed to give scientists data on functional organization of human vestibular and orientation systems. Spacelab D-1 encompassed 75 numbered experiments, most performed more than once. Mission included basic and applied microgravity research in fields of materials science, life sciences and technology, and communications and navigation.
STS-51F Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
Primary payload was Spacelab-2. Despite abort-to-orbit, which required mission replanning, mission declared success. Special part of modular Spacelab system, the Igloo, located at head of three-pallet train, provided on-site support to instruments mounted on pallets. Main mission objective was to verify performance of Spacelab system sand determine interface capability of orbiter, and measure environment induced by spacecraft.
Primary payload was Spacelab-2. Despite abort-to-orbit, which required mission replanning, mission declared success. Special part of modular Spacelab system, the Igloo, located at head of three-pallet train, provided on-site support to instruments mounted on pallets. Main mission objective was to verify performance of Spacelab system sand determine interface capability of orbiter, and measure environment induced by spacecraft.
STS-51B Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
Primary payload was Spacelab-3. 1st operational flight for Spacelab orbital laboratory series developed by European Space Agency. 5 basic discipline areas: materials sciences, life sciences, fluid mechanics, atmospheric physics and astronomy main mission objective with Spacelab-3 was to provide high quality microgravity environment for delicate materials processing and fluid experiments. 2 monkeys and 24 rodents observed for effects of weightlessness. 14 of 15 experiments considered successful.
Primary payload was Spacelab-3. 1st operational flight for Spacelab orbital laboratory series developed by European Space Agency. 5 basic discipline areas: materials sciences, life sciences, fluid mechanics, atmospheric physics and astronomy main mission objective with Spacelab-3 was to provide high quality microgravity environment for delicate materials processing and fluid experiments. 2 monkeys and 24 rodents observed for effects of weightlessness. 14 of 15 experiments considered successful.
STS-41C Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
First direct ascent trajectory for Space Shuttle. Using manned maneuvering unit, astronauts replaced altitude control system and coronagraph/polarimeter electronics box in the Solar Max satellite while it remained in orbit. Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) deployed, carrying 57 experiments. Left on orbit with intention of retrieving during later mission. Other payloads: IMAX camera; Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME); Cinema 360; Shuttle Student Involvement Program (SSlP) experiment.
First direct ascent trajectory for Space Shuttle. Using manned maneuvering unit, astronauts replaced altitude control system and coronagraph/polarimeter electronics box in the Solar Max satellite while it remained in orbit. Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) deployed, carrying 57 experiments. Left on orbit with intention of retrieving during later mission. Other payloads: IMAX camera; Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME); Cinema 360; Shuttle Student Involvement Program (SSlP) experiment.
STS-41b Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
First untethered space walks by McCandless and Stewart, using manned maneuvering unit. WESTAR-VI and PALAPA-B2 satellites deployed, but failure of Payload Assist Module-D (PAM-D) rocket motors left them in radical low-Earth orbits. German-built Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS), first flown on STS-7, became first satellite refurbished and flown again. SPAS remained in payload bay due to electrical problem with Remote Manipulator System (RMS).
First untethered space walks by McCandless and Stewart, using manned maneuvering unit. WESTAR-VI and PALAPA-B2 satellites deployed, but failure of Payload Assist Module-D (PAM-D) rocket motors left them in radical low-Earth orbits. German-built Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS), first flown on STS-7, became first satellite refurbished and flown again. SPAS remained in payload bay due to electrical problem with Remote Manipulator System (RMS).
STS-8 Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
Bluford became first African-American to fly in space. INSAT-1B, a multipurpose satellite for India attached to Payload Assist Module-D motor, was deployed. Nose of orbiter held away from sun 14 hours to test flight deck area in extreme cold. For Development Flight Instrumentation Pallet, crew filmed performance of experimental heat pipe mounted in cargo bay.
Bluford became first African-American to fly in space. INSAT-1B, a multipurpose satellite for India attached to Payload Assist Module-D motor, was deployed. Nose of orbiter held away from sun 14 hours to test flight deck area in extreme cold. For Development Flight Instrumentation Pallet, crew filmed performance of experimental heat pipe mounted in cargo bay.
Space Shuttle Challenger
The Challenger, which was first called STA-099, was built to serve as a test vehicle for the Space Shuttle program. Named after the British Naval research vessel HMS Challenger that sailed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the 1870's, Challenger was submitted to a year of intensive vibration and thermal testing. The Apollo 17 lunar module also carried the name of Challenger.
The Challenger, which was first called STA-099, was built to serve as a test vehicle for the Space Shuttle program. Named after the British Naval research vessel HMS Challenger that sailed the Atlantic and Pacific oceans during the 1870's, Challenger was submitted to a year of intensive vibration and thermal testing. The Apollo 17 lunar module also carried the name of Challenger.
STS-7 Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
Sally Ride became first American woman to fly in space. 2 com- munications satellites deployed, ANIK C-2 for TELESAT Canada & PALAPA-B1 for Indonesia, both attached to Payload Assist Module-D motors. 7 Get Away Special canisters in cargo bay held variety of experiments, including ones studying affects of space on social behavior of ant colony in zero gravity. 10 experiments mounted on Shuttle Pallet Satellite performed research in forming metal alloys in microgravity.
Sally Ride became first American woman to fly in space. 2 com- munications satellites deployed, ANIK C-2 for TELESAT Canada & PALAPA-B1 for Indonesia, both attached to Payload Assist Module-D motors. 7 Get Away Special canisters in cargo bay held variety of experiments, including ones studying affects of space on social behavior of ant colony in zero gravity. 10 experiments mounted on Shuttle Pallet Satellite performed research in forming metal alloys in microgravity.
STS-6 Space Shuttle Challenger Mission
STS-6, first mission of the space shuttle Challenger. Crew: Paul J. Weitz, Commander; Karol J. Bobko, Pilot; Donald H. Peterson, Mission Specialist; F. Story Musgrave, Mission Specialist. Launch April 4, 1983, 1:30:00 p.m. EST. Landing April 9, 1983, 10:53:42 a.m. PST.
STS-6, first mission of the space shuttle Challenger. Crew: Paul J. Weitz, Commander; Karol J. Bobko, Pilot; Donald H. Peterson, Mission Specialist; F. Story Musgrave, Mission Specialist. Launch April 4, 1983, 1:30:00 p.m. EST. Landing April 9, 1983, 10:53:42 a.m. PST.