STS-51J

Atlantis (1)

USA

hi res version (787 KB)

Launch, orbit and landing data

Launch date:	03.10.1985
Launch time:	15:15 UTC
Launch site:	Cape Canaveral (KSC)
Launch pad:	39-A
Altitude:	590,8 km
Inclination:	28,5°
Landing date:	07.10.1985
Landing time:	17:00 UTC
Landing site:	Edwards AFB

Crew

No.	Surname	Given names	Position	Flight No.	Duration	Orbits
1	Bobko	Karol Joseph "Bo"	CDR	3	4d 01h 44m	64
2	Grabe	Ronald John	PLT	1	4d 01h 44m	64
3	Hilmers	David Carl	MSP	1	4d 01h 44m	64
4	Stewart	Robert Lee	MSP	2	4d 01h 44m	64
5	Pailes	William Arthur	MSE	1	4d 01h 44m	64

Crew seating arrangement

Launch
1	Bobko
2	Grabe
3	Hilmers
4	Stewart
5	Pailes

Landing
1	Bobko
2	Grabe
3	Hilmers
4	Stewart
5	Pailes

Backup Crew

No.		Surname	Given names	Position
5		Booen	Michael Warren	MSE

hi res version (647 KB)

Flight

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

The launch was postponed for 22 minutes and 30 seconds due to a main engine liquid hydrogen prevalve close remote power controller showing a faulty 'on' indication.

This flight was the second SDI mission of a Space Shuttle. William Pailes became the second military astronaut in space. The crew deployed two military communications satellites (DSCS III). It was the first spaceflight of orbiter Atlantis.