Launch from Cape Canaveral (
KSC);
landing on Edwards
AFB.
This was the first mission of the orbiter
"Discovery". The planned launch was delayed twice due of a variety of technical
problems, including a rollback to the
VAB
to replace a main engine.
The crew deployed the communications
satellites
SBS-D (USA), Telstar 3-C (USA) and Syncom IV-2/Leasat
2 (US Navy). The solar wing (31 m) was extended from the payload bay. The wing
carried a number of different types of experimental solar cells and was
extended to its full height several times. It was the largest structure ever
extended from a manned spacecraft and demonstrated the feasibility of large
lightweight solar arrays for future application to large facilities in space
such as the Space Station.
Charles
Walker was the first commercially sponsored payload
specialist to fly aboard the Shuttle. He worked on the Continuous Flow
Electrophoresis System .
