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STS-51-J
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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| Mission name: | STS-51-J | ||||
| Shuttle: | Atlantis | ||||
| Launch pad: | 39-A | ||||
| Launch: | October 3, 1985, 11:15:30 am EDT | ||||
| Landing: | October 7, 1985, 10:00:08 a.m. PDT | ||||
| Duration: | Four days, one hour, 44 minutes, 38 seconds | ||||
| Orbit altitude: | 319 nautical miles (591 km) | ||||
| Orbit inclination: | 28.5 degrees | ||||
| Distance traveled: | 1,725,000 miles (2,776,000 km) | ||||
| Crew photo | |||||
 L-R: Stewart, Hilmers, Bobko, Pailes, Grabe |
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STS-51-J was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the 21st mission, and carried a payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. It was the first flight for Atlantis.
Contents |
(total flights to date in parentheses)
- Karol J. Bobko (3), Commander
- Ronald J. Grabe (1), Pilot
- David C. Hilmers (1), Mission Specialist
- Robert L. Stewart (2), Mission Specialist
- William A. Pailes (1), Payload Specialist
- Mass:
- Payload: Two DSCS-III satellites 2,615 kg ea - Total 5,230 kg
- Booster: IUS upper stage ~18,000 kg
- Perigee: 476 km
- Apogee: 486 km
- Inclination: 28.5°
- Period: 94.2 min
This was the second Space Shuttle mission totally dedicated to the Department of Defense. Its cargo was classified but it is reported that two DSCS-III (Defense Satellite Communications System) communications satellites were launched into stationary orbit by an IUS upper stage. The DSCS satellites use X-band frequencies (8/7 GHz). Each DSCS III satellite has a design life of ten years, although several of the DSCS satellites on-orbit today have far exceeded their design life expectancy and continue to perform with outstanding results. Liftoff occurred on October 3, 1985, at 11:15 a.m. EDT, from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center. The orbiter was Atlantis, making its first flight. The mission was classified as "Successful." After a duration of 4 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes, Atlantis landed on Runway 23 at Edwards AFB at 1:00 p.m. EDT on October 7, 1985.
- Space science
- Space shuttle
- List of space shuttle missions
- List of human spaceflights chronologically
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| STS-51-J | STS-61-B | STS-27 | STS-30 | STS-34 | STS-36 | STS-38 | STS-37 | STS-43 | STS-44 | STS-45 | STS-46 | STS-66 | STS-71 | STS-74 | STS-76 | STS-79 | STS-81 | STS-84 | STS-86 | STS-101 | STS-106 | STS-98 | STS-104 | STS-110 | STS-112 | STS-115 |
| Upcoming: STS-117 | STS-122 | STS-125 |
| Status: Operational |