Human Spaceflights

International Flight No. 126

STS-33

Discovery (9)

USA

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Launch, orbit and landing data

Launch date:  23.11.1989
Launch time:  00:23 UTC
Launch site:  Cape Canaveral (KSC)
Launch pad:  39-B
Altitude:  559 km
Inclination:  28,45°
Landing date:  28.11.1989
Landing time:  00:30 UTC
Landing site:  Edwards AFB

walkout photo

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alternate crew photo

alternate crew photo

alternate crew photo

alternate crew photo

Crew

No.   Surname Given names Position Flight No. Duration Orbits
1  Gregory  Frederick Drew  CDR 2 5d 00h 06m  79 
2  Blaha  John Elmer  PLT 2 5d 00h 06m  79 
3  Carter  Manley Lanier, Jr. "Sonny"  MSP 1 5d 00h 06m  79 
4  Musgrave  Franklin Story  MSP 3 5d 00h 06m  79 
5  Thornton  Kathryn Cordell Ryan  MSP 1 5d 00h 06m  79 

Crew seating arrangement

Launch
1  Gregory
2  Blaha
3  Carter
4  Musgrave
5  Thornton
Landing
1  Gregory
2  Blaha
3  Thornton
4  Musgrave
5  Carter

Flight

Launch from Cape Canaveral (KSC); landing on Edwards AFB.

The launch was originally scheduled for November 20, 1989, but was delayed because of suspect integrated electronics assemblies which control ignition and separation of the Shuttle's solid rocket boosters.

S. David Griggs, the originally scheduled pilot for this mission, died in a plane crash 5 months prior to the shuttle launch. He was replaced by John Blaha.

This flight was the fifth mission dedicated to the Department of Defense. Mail goal was to deploy the reconnaissance satellite "Big Ear" (Magnum 2; USA-48), a secret Magnum ELINT (ELectronic INTtelligence) satellite. Frederick Gregory became the first afro-american spacecraft commander.

The landing was postponed for a day because of strong winds at the landing site.

Photos / Drawings


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Last update on July 23, 2012.