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STS-30

Spacecraft · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

STS-30
STS-30
Artist concept titled "STS-30 Descent over California" produced by Rockwell
Credit: NASA

Deployed Magellan Venus probe. One of five General Purpose Computers failed and had to be replaced with a sixth onboard hardware spare. First time a GPC was switched on orbit.

NASA Official Mission Narrative

Mission Name: STS-30 (29)
Atlantis (4)
Pad 39-B (10)
29th Shuttle mission
4th Flight OV-104

Crew:
David M. Walker (2), Commander
Ronald J. Grabe (2), Pilot
Norman E. Thagard (3), Mission Specialist 1
Mary L. Cleave (2), Mission Specialist 2
Mark C. Lee (1), Mission Specialist 3

Milestones:
OPF - Dec. 14,1988
VAB - March 11,1989
PAD - March 22, 1989

Payload:
MAGELLAN
Mission Objectives:

Launch:
May 4, 1989,2:48:59 p.m. EDT. Launch April 28 scrubbed at T-31 seconds due to problem with liquid hydrogen recirculation pump on number one main engine and vapor leak in four-inch liquid hydrogen recirculation line between orbiter and external tank. Repairs made and launch reset for May 4. Liftoff delayed until last five minutes of 64-minute window opening at 1:48 a.m.. EDT due to cloud cover and high winds at KSC Shuttle runway, violating return- to-launch site limits. Launch Weight: 261,118 lbs.
Orbit:
Altitude: 184nm
Inclination: 28.8 degrees
Orbits: 65
Duration: 4 days, 0 hours, 56 minutes, 28 seconds.
Distance: 1,681,997 miles

Hardware:
SRB: BI-027
SRM: 360Q/H004
ET : 29/LWT-22
MLP : 1
SSME-1: SN-2027
SSME-2: SN-2030
SSME-3: SN-2029

Landing:
May 8, 1989, 12:43:27 p.m. PDT, Runway 22, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Rollout distance: 10,295 feet. Rollout time: 64 seconds. Orbiter returned to KSC May 15,1989. Landing Weight: 192,459 lbs.

Mission Highlights:
Primary payload, Magellan/Venus radar mapper spacecraft and attached Inertial Upper Stage (IUS), deployed six hours, 14 minutes into Flight. IUS first and second stage fired as planned, boosting Magellan spacecraft on proper trajectory for 15-month journey to Venus. Secondary payloads: Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE), microgravity research with Fluids Experiment Apparatus (FEA), and Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS) experiment.
One of five General Purpose Computers (GPC) failed and had to be replaced with a sixth onboard hardware spare. First time a GPC was switched on orbit.

More at: STS-30.

Related

Country
USA
Spacecraft
Atlantis
Projects
STS
Launch Sites
Cape Canaveral
Bibliography
4457

Photo Gallery

  • STS-30
    STS-30
    Credit: www.spacefacts.de
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    STS-30 Atlantis, OV-104, lifts off from KSC LC Pad 39B
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    STS-30 aft flight deck onboard view of overhead window, Earth limb, cow photo
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    STS-30 crewmembers Thagard and Lee during onboard cabin depressurisation test
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    STS-30 Magellan spacecraft & IUS deployment from Atlantis' payload bay (PLB)
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    STS-30 Magellan spacecraft & IUS deployment from Atlantis' payload bay (PLB)
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    IUS with Magellan spacecraft drifts into space after STS-30 deployment
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    Stratocumulus Clouds, eastern Pacific Ocean
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    infra-red view of Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, Florida
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, Florida
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    STS-30 Atlantis, OV-104, glides toward landing at EAFB, California
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    Magellan radar image compared to high resolution Earth-based image of Venus
    Credit: NASA
  • STS-30
    STS-30
    Global view of Venus from Magellan, Pioneer, and Venera data
    Credit: NASA

Chronology

6 events

1989 May 4

18:47 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39B. Launch Platform: MLP1. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.
  • STS-30 - . Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Cleave, Grabe, Lee, Thagard, Walker, Dave. Payload: Atlantis F04 / Magellan [IUS]. Mass: 20,833 kg (45,928 lb). Nation: USA. Related Persons: Cleave, Grabe, Lee, Thagard, Walker, Dave. Agency: NASA Houston. Program: STS. Class: Manned. Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-30. Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle. Spacecraft: Atlantis. Duration: 4.04 days. Decay Date: 1989-05-08 . USAF Sat Cat: 19968 . COSPAR: 1989-033A. Apogee: 366 km (227 mi). Perigee: 361 km (224 mi). Inclination: 28.90 deg. Period: 91.80 min. Manned five crew. Deployed Magellan Venus probe. Payloads: Deploy IUS with Magellan spacecraft. Fluids Experiment Apparatus (FEA). Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE), Air Force Maui Optical Site (AMOS) experiment..

1989 May 5

  • STS-30 - Wakeup Song: Superman - . Flight: STS-30. "Superman" film theme.

1989 May 6

  • STS-30 - Wakeup Song: Anchors Aweigh - . Flight: STS-30. "Anchors Aweigh" ; and a medley from their respective alma maters.

1989 May 7

  • STS-30 - Wakeup Song: Rocky - . Flight: STS-30. "Rocky" theme.

1989 May 8

  • STS-30 - Wakeup Song: A Hard Day's Night - . Flight: STS-30. "A Hard Day's Night" The Beatles.

1989 May 8