STS-51A

Occurred 40 years ago

One of the unique attributes of the Space Shuttle featured the ability to launch satellites into space and return them to Earth if needed. That capability passed its first test during the STS-51A mission in November 1984.

Space Shuttle

Discovery

mission duration

7 days, 23 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds

Launch

November 8, 1984

Landing

November 16, 1984

Five astronauts in blue jumpsuits pose with model American eagle in front of US flag

These five astronauts flew aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on Mission STS-51A. Frederick H. (Rick) Hauck, seated, was Commander. David M. Walker, Pilot, stands next to the Eagle, the STS-51A mascot. Left-to-right on the back row are Dale A. Gardner, Anna L. Fisher and Joseph P. Allen IV, all Mission Specialists.

NASA

STS-51A Mission Facts

Mission: TELESAT-H, Canadian communications satellite, SYNCOM IV-1 defense communications satellite
Space Shuttle: Discovery
Launch Pad: 39A
Launch Weight: 263,324 pounds
Launched: November 8, 1984 at 7:15:00 a.m. EST
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Landing: November 16, 1984 at 6:59:56 a.m. EST
Landing Weight: 207,505 pounds
Runway: 15
Rollout Distance: 9,454 feet
Rollout Time: 58 seconds
Revolution: 127
Mission Duration: 7 days, 23 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds
Orbit Altitude: 185 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 28.5 degrees
Miles Traveled: 3.3 million

Crew

Frederick H. Hauck, Commander

David M. Walker, Pilot

Anna L. Fisher, Mission Specialist

Dale A. Gardner, Mission Specialist

Joseph P. Allen, Mission Specialist

Mission Highlights

The Canadian communications satellite TELESAT-H (ANIK), attached to Payload Assist Module-D (PAM-D) was deployed into geosynchronous orbit on flight day two. On the third day, the defense communications satellite SYNCOM IV-I (also known as LEASAT-1) was deployed. Allen and Gardner, wearing jet-propelled manned maneuvering units, retrieved two malfunctioning satellites: PALAPA-B2 and WESTAR-VI, both of these satellites were deployed on Mission 41-B. Fisher operated the remote manipulator system, grappling satellites and depositing them in the payload bay. Middeck payloads for this mission were: Diffusive Mixing of Organic Solutions (DMOS), and Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME).