STS-51-J

Infobox Space mission
mission_name = STS-51-J
insignia = Sts-51-j-patch.png shuttle = Atlantis
launch_pad = 39-A
launch = October 3, 1985, 15:15:30 UTC
landing = October 7, 1985, 17:00:08 UTC
duration = 4d/01:44:38
altitude = 591 km
inclination = 28.5°
orbits = 64
distance = 2,776,000 km
crew_photo = STS-51-J_crew.jpg
crew_caption = L-R: Stewart, Hilmers, Bobko, Pailes, Grabe
previous = STS-51-I
next = STS-61-A

STS-51-J was a space shuttle mission by NASA that was the first to use the Space Shuttle "Atlantis". It was the 21st mission, and carried a payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. It was the first flight for "Atlantis".

Crew

Number in parentheses indicates number of spaceflights by each individual prior to and including this mission.

*Karol J. Bobko (3) - Commander
*Ronald J. Grabe (1) - Pilot
*David C. Hilmers (1) - Mission Specialist
*Robert L. Stewart (2) - Mission Specialist
*William A. Pailes (1) - Payload Specialist

Backup crew

*Michael Booen - Payload Specialist

Mission parameters

*Mass:
**"Payload:" Two DSCS-III satellites 2,615 kg ea - Total 5,230 kg
**"Booster:" IUS upper stage ~18,000 kg
*Perigee: 476 km
*Apogee: 486 km
*Inclination: 28.5°
*Period: 94.2 min

Mission highlights

This was the second Space Shuttle mission totally dedicated tothe Department of Defense after STS-51-C. Its cargo was classified but it is reported that two ( [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1985-092B USA-11] and [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/database/MasterCatalog?sc=1985-092C USA-12] ) DSCS-III (Defense Satellite Communications System) communications satellites were launched into stationary orbit by an Inertial Upper Stage. The DSCS satellites use X-band frequencies (8/7 GHz). Each DSCS III satellite has a design life of ten years, although several of the DSCS satellites on-orbit today have far exceeded their design life expectancy and continue to perform with outstanding results. Liftoff occurred on October 3, 1985, at 11:15 a.m. EDT, from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center. The orbiter was "Atlantis", making its first flight. The mission was classified as "Successful." After a duration of 4 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes, "Atlantis" landed on Runway 23 at Edwards AFB at 1:00 p.m. EDT on
October 7, 1985.

ee also

* Space science
* Space shuttle
* List of space shuttle missions
* List of human spaceflights chronologically

External links

* [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-j/mission-51-j.html NASA mission summary]