Launch from Cape Canaveral (
KSC); landing in Cape
Canaveral (
KSC). The
launch of Discovery on STS-51D was delayed by 55 minutes when a boat strayed
into the restricted SRB recovery zone.
Deploying of communications
satellites TELESAT-I (ANIK C-1) and SYNCOM IV-3 (LEASAT-3). The LEASAT-3
spacecraft sequencer failed and the antenna was not deployed and the perigee
kick motor did not start. The mission was extended two days to make certain the
sequencer start lever was in the proper position.
Hoffman and
Griggs peformed a not planned spacewalk (3h 08m) to attach
Flyswatter devices to remote manipulator system.
Seddon engaged LEASAT lever using the remote manipulator
system but the post deployment sequence did not begin.
Other payloads
were: Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (
CFES)
III, flying for sixth time; two Shuttle Student Involvement Program (SSIP)
experiments; American Flight Echocardiograph (AFE); two Get Away Specials;
Phase Partitioning Experiments (PPE); astronomy photography verification test;
medical experiments and toys in space, an informal study of the behavior of
simple toys in weightless environment, with results to be made available to
school students.
Senator
Garn
first politician in space.
Walker (McDonnell) worked again on the Electrophoresis
experiment.
Landing was problematic with extensive brake
damage.
