This week in 1985, space shuttle Atlantis, mission STS-51J, launched on its maiden voyage from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
This week in 1985, space shuttle Atlantis, mission STS-51J, launched on its maiden voyage from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This was the second shuttle mission dedicated to the Department of Defense. The five-member crew safely landed at Edwards Air Force Base following their four-day mission. 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)