This week in 1983, space shuttle Challenger and STS-8 landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California after a successful six-day mission. When Challenger launched on Aug. 30, Guion S. Bluford made history as he became the first African American in space. Here, Bluford assists with a medical test that required the use of a treadmill exercising device designed by the STS-8 medical doctor. Today, the Payload Operations Integration Center at Marshall serves as “science central” for the space station, working 24/7, 365 days a year in support of the orbiting laboratory’s scientific experiments. The NASA History Program is responsible for generating, disseminating and preserving NASA’s remarkable history and providing a comprehensive understanding of the institutional, cultural, social, political, economic, technological and scientific aspects of NASA’s activities in aeronautics and space. For more pictures like this one and to connect to NASA’s history, visit the Marshall History Program’s webpage. (NASA)