Spaceflight mission report: STS-72

Human Spaceflights

International Flight No. 182 STS-72 Endeavour (10) USA
	hi res version (562 KB)

Launch, orbit and landing data

Launch date:	11.01.1996
Launch time:	09:41 UTC
Launch site:	Cape Canaveral (KSC)
Launch pad:	39-B
Altitude:	463 km
Inclination:	28,45°
Landing date:	20.01.1996
Landing time:	07:41 UTC
Landing site:	Cape Canaveral (KSC)

Crew

No.	Surname	Given names	Position	Flight No.	Duration	Orbits
1	Duffy	Brian	CDR	3	8d 22h 01m	142
2	Jett	Brent Ward, Jr.	PLT	1	8d 22h 01m	142
3	Chiao	Leroy	MSP	2	8d 22h 01m	142
4	Scott	Winston Elliott	MSP	1	8d 22h 01m	142
5	Wakata	Koichi	MSP	1	8d 22h 01m	142
6	Barry	Daniel Thomas	MSP	1	8d 22h 01m	142

Crew seating arrangement

Launch
1	Duffy
2	Jett
3	Chiao
4	Scott
5	Wakata
6	Barry

Landing
1	Duffy
2	Jett
3	Wakata
4	Scott
5	Chiao
6	Barry

Flight

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

The primary objective of the STS-72 mission was to capture and return to Earth a Japanese microgravity research spacecraft known as Space Flyer Unit (SFU). The 7,885 lb (3,577 kg) SFU spacecraft was launched by Japan's National Space Development Agency (NASDA) from Tanegashima Space Center in Japan at 8:01 UT on March 18, 1995 aboard a Japanese H-II rocket (HII-3). The deployment of the SPARTAN 206 satellite for two days was a main objective, too. Several secundary payloads were flown in the payload bay and the mid-deck.

The Space Flyer Unit from Japan was captured and brought to Earth. EVA's by Chiao and Barry on 15.01.1996 (6h 9m) and by Chiao and Scott on 17.01.1996 (6h 41m) to test tools and hardware that will be used in the assembly of the ISS. The crew also deployed and retrieved the OAST-Flyer 50 hours later.