Human Spaceflights

International Flight-No. 101

STS-51D

Discovery (4)

USA

Patch STS-51D

hi res version (570 KB)

Launch, orbit and landing data

Launch date:  12.04.1985
Launch time:  13:59 UT
Launch site:  Cape Canaveral (KSC)
Launch pad:  39-A
Altitude:  528 km
Inclination:  28,5°
Landing date:  19.04.1985
Landing time:  13:54 UT
Landing site:  Cape Canaveral (KSC)

walkout photo

Crew STS-51D

hi res version (1,00 MB)

alternate crew photo

Crew

No.   Surname Given names Job Flight No. Duration Orbits
1 USA  Bobko  Karol Joseph "Bo"  CDR 2 6d 23h 55m  110 
2 USA  Williams  Donald Edward  PLT 1 6d 23h 55m  110 
3 USA  Seddon  Margaret Rhea  MSP 1 6d 23h 55m  110 
4 USA  Griggs  Stanley David  MSP 1 6d 23h 55m  110 
5 USA  Hoffman  Jeffrey Alan  MSP 1 6d 23h 55m  110 
6 USA  Garn  Edwin Jacob "Jake"  PSP 1 6d 23h 55m  110 
7 USA  Walker  Charles David  PSP 2 6d 23h 55m  110 

Crew seating arrangement

Launch
1  Bobko
2  Williams
3  Seddon
4  Griggs
5  Hoffman
6  Walker
7  Garn
Space Shuttle cockpit
Landing
1  Bobko
2  Williams
3  Hoffman
4  Griggs
5  Seddon
6  Walker
7  Garn

Flight

Launch from Cape Canaveral (KSC); landing in Cape Canaveral (KSC).

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.

Photos / Drawings

Space Shuttle STS-51D on launch pad
STS-51D launch Syncom IV-3
Syncom deployed Telesat-I
EVA Hoffman and Griggs STS-51D Canadarm
traditional in-flight photo STS-51D STS-51D landing

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Last update on November 15, 2009.

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