Launch from Cape Canaveral (KSC); landing on Edwards AFB. It was the first night launch and first night landing of a Space Shuttle.

The communications satellite Insat-1B (India) was successfully deployed on flight day 1. Other experiments were electrophoresis-experiments, investigations on "Space Adaption Syndrome" and biofeedback experiments with six rats. Additional science research included the activation of various earth resources and space science experiments, along with four GAS-canisters.The crew also operated the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System (RMS).