Orbiter: Challenger (STA-099, OV-99)
- Pad 39-A (18)
- 6th Shuttle mission
- 1st Flight OV-99
- 1st Shuttle from MLP-2
- 1st Launch Light Weight External Tank
Crew:
- Paul J. Weitz (2), Commander
- Karol J. Bobko (1), Pilot
- Donald H. Peterson (1), Mission Specialist
- F. Story Musgrave (1), Mission Specialist
Milestones:
- OPF - Jul. 6, 1982
- VAB - Nov. 23, 1982
- PAD - Nov. 30, 1982
Hardware:
- SRB: BI-006
- SRM: 006LW (SPM)
- ET: 8/LWT-1
- MLP: 2
- SSME-1: SN-2017
- SSME-2: SN-2015
- SSME-3: SN-2012
Payload:
- TDRS-A
- CFES (2)
- MLR/NOSL (1)
- GAS (x3)
Orbit:
- Altitude: 178 nautical miles
- Inclination: 28.5 degrees
- Orbits: 81
- Duration: 5 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes, 25 seconds
- Distance: 2,094,293 miles
Launch Weight: 256,744 lbs. - April 4, 1983, 1:30:00 p.m. EST:
Launch set for January 20 postponed due to hydrogen leak into number one main engine aft compartment discovered during 20 second Flight Readiness Firing Dec. 18, 1982. Cracks in number 1 main engine confirmed to be cause of leak during second FRF performed January 25, 1983. All 3 main engines removed while Shuttle was on the pad & fuel line cracks repaired. Main engines 2 & 3 reinstalled following extensive failure analysis and testing. Number 1 main engine replaced. Additional delay caused by contamination to Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-1 (TDRS-1) during a severe storm. Launch on April 4 proceeded as scheduled.
Landing Weight: 190,330 lbs. - April 9, 1983, 10:53:42 a.m. PST:
Runway 22, Edwards Air Force Base, CA. Rollout distance 7,180 feet, Rollout time 49 sec. Orbiter returned to KSC April 16, 1983.
Mission Highlights:
Primary payload was first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-1(TDRS-1). Malfunction of Inertial Upper Stage booster resulted in placement of spacecraft into improper but stable orbit. Additional propellant aboard satellite used over next several months gradually place TDRS-1 into properly circularized orbit. First space walk of Shuttle program performed by Peterson and Musgrave, lasting about 4 hours, 17 minutes. Other payloads: Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (CFES), Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR), Radiation Monitoring Experiment (RME). Night/Day Optical Survey of Lightning (NOSL), and three Get Away Special canisters. Mission used first lightweight external tank and lightweight rocket booster casings.
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