STS-51-J
Mission · USA
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Astronaut Ronald Grabe in the single systems trainer
Credit: NASA
First flight of shuttle Atlantis. Military mission, Deployed USA-11, USA-12.
NASA Official Mission Narrative
Mission Name: 51-J (21)
Atlantis (1)
Pad 39-A (33)
21st Shuttle mission
1st Flight OV-104
Crew:
Karol J. Bobko (3), Commander
Ronald J. Grabe (1), Pilot
David C. Hilmers (1), Mission Specialist 1
Robert L. Stewart (2), Mission Specialist 2
William A. Pailes (1), Payload Specialist 1
Milestones:
OPF - April 14, 1985
VAB - May 10, 1985
(storage)
OPF - May 28, 1985
VAB - July 18, 1985
(storage)
OPF - July 30, 1985
VAB - Aug. 12, 1985
PAD - Aug. 30, 1985
Payload:
DoD(2)
Mission Objectives:
Launch:
October 3, 1985, 11:15:30 am EDT. Launch delayed 22 minutes, 30 seconds due to main engine liquid hydrogen prevalve close remote power controller showing faulty 'on' indication. Launch Weight: Classified.
Orbit:
Altitude: 319nm
Inclination: 28.5 degrees
Orbits: 64
Duration: 4 days, 1 hour, 44 minutes, 38 seconds.
Distance: 1,725,000 miles
Hardware:
SRB: BI-021
SRM: L021(HPM)
ET : 25/LWT-18
MLP : 2
SSME-1: SN-2011
SSME-2: SN-2019
SSME-3: SN-2017
Landing:
October 7,1985,10:00:08 a.m. PDT, Runway 23, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Rollout distance: 8,056 feet. Rollout time: 65 seconds. Orbiter returned to KSC Oct. 11,1985. Landing Weight: 190,400 lbs.
Mission Highlights:
Second mission dedicated to Department of Defense.
More at: STS-51-J.
Related
- Family
- Manned spaceflight
- Country
- USA
- Spacecraft
- Atlantis
- Projects
- STS
- Launch Sites
- Cape Canaveral
- Agency
- NASA, NASA Houston
Photo Gallery
STS-51-J
Lift-off of first flight of Atlantis and the STS 51-J mission
Credit: NASA
STS-51-J
Landing of the Shuttle Atlantis and the end of the STS 51-J mission
Credit: NASA
STS-51-J
Landing of the Shuttle Atlantis and the end of the STS 51-J mission
Credit: NASA
Chronology
2 events
1985 October 3
15:15 GMT - . Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: Cape Canaveral LC39A. Launch Platform: MLP2. LV Family: Shuttle. Launch Vehicle: Space Shuttle.- STS-51-J - .
Call Sign: Atlantis. Crew: Bobko,
Grabe,
Hilmers,
Pailes,
Stewart.
Payload: Atlantis F01 / DSCS-3 2 / DSCS-3 3 [IUS]. Mass: 115,900 kg (255,500 lb). Nation: USA.
Related Persons: Bobko,
Grabe,
Hilmers,
Pailes,
Stewart.
Agency: NASA Houston.
Program: STS.
Class: Manned.
Type: Manned spaceplane. Flight: STS-51-J.
Spacecraft Bus: Shuttle.
Spacecraft: Atlantis.
Duration: 4.07 days. Decay Date: 1985-10-07 . USAF Sat Cat: 16115 . COSPAR: 1985-092A. Apogee: 486 km (301 mi). Perigee: 476 km (295 mi). Inclination: 28.50 deg. Period: 94.20 min.
Manned five crew. Atlantis (first flight); deployed USA 11, USA 12. Reusable space transportation system.
Orbits of Earth: 63. Landed at: Runway 23 dry lake bed at Edwards Air Force Base, . Touchdown miss distance: 754.00 m. Landing Rollout: 2,455.00 m. Payloads: Classified DoD Mission - Record altitude (as of 5/93).