Human Spaceflights

International Flight No. 153

STS-53

Discovery (15)

USA

hi res version (598 KB)

hi res version (310 KB)

Launch, orbit and landing data

Launch date:  02.12.1992
Launch time:  13:24 UTC
Launch site:  Cape Canaveral (KSC)
Launch pad:  39-A
Altitude:  322 km
Inclination:  57°
Landing date:  09.12.1992
Landing time:  20:43 UTC
Landing site:  Edwards AFB

walkout photo

hi res version (808 KB)

alternate crew photo

Crew

No.   Surname Given names Position Flight No. Duration Orbits
1  Walker  David Mathieson  CDR 3 7d 07h 19m  116 
2  Cabana  Robert Donald  PLT 2 7d 07h 19m  116 
3  Bluford  Guion Stewart, Jr. "Guy"  MSP 4 7d 07h 19m  116 
4  Clifford  Michael Richard Uram "Rich"  MSP 1 7d 07h 19m  116 
5  Voss  James Shelton  MSP 2 7d 07h 19m  116 

Crew seating arrangement

Launch
1  Walker
2  Cabana
3  Bluford
4  Clifford
5  Voss
Landing
1  Walker
2  Cabana
3  Voss
4  Clifford
5  Bluford

Flight

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

STS-53 was the final dedicated Department of Defense mission. Discovery carried a classified primary payload for the United States Department of Defense, two unclassified secondary payloads and nine unclassified middeck experiments. Discovery's primary payload, USA-89 NSSDC ID 1992-086B is also known as "DoD-1", and was the shuttle's last major payload for the Department of Defense. The satellite was the second launch of a Satellite Data System-2 military communications satellite, after USA-40 on STS-28.

Secondary payloads contained in or attached to Get Away Special (GAS) hardware in the cargo bay included the Orbital Debris Radar Calibration Spheres (ODERACS) the combined Shuttle Glow Experiment/Cryogenic Heat Pipe Experiment (GCP). Middeck experiments included Microcapsules in Space (MIS-l); Space Tissue Loss (STL); Visual Function Tester (VFT-2); Cosmic Radiation Effects and Activation Monitor (CREAM); Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME-III); Fluid Acquisition and Resupply Experiment (FARE); Hand-held, Earth-oriented, Real-time, Cooperative, User-friendly, Location-targeting and Environmental System (HERCULES); Battlefield Laser Acquisition Sensor Test (BLAST); and the Cloud Logic to Optimize Use of Defense Systems (CLOUDS).

The experiments ODERACS, BLAST and HERCULES were reduced and delayed respectively because of battery problems.

Photos / Drawings

 

©      

Last update on July 26, 2012.