(NftSA-TM-87534) f t S U M M A B Y O F t t & J G R N A S A N86-70324

L A U N C H E S , J A N U A R Y 1, 1880 - DECEMBSB 31, KSC Historical Report No. 1

1984 ( N A S A ) 113 p (KHR-1, Revised 1979)
Lindas Supplement 2
00/15 03133
(Incorporates Supplement 1)
Issued October 1985
Eastern Test Range (ETR)
Western Test Range (WTR)

A Summary of Major NASA Launches

January 1,1980 — December 31,1984

THOR MERCURY DELTA MERCURY ATLAS ATLAS GEMINI

DELTA REDSTONE ATLAS AGENA CENTAUR TITAN II
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
SPACE SCIENCE
PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
DYNAMIC EXPLORERS 1/2 . ...S-l
SOLAR MESOPHERE EXPLORER .' S-2
INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE
INFRARED ASTRONOMICAL SATELLITE S-3
EXOSAT S-4
ACTIVE MAGNETOSPHERIC PARTICLE TRACER EXPLORERS S-5
EARTH OBSERVATIONS
METEOROLOGY
GEOSTATIONARY OPERATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL SATELLITE (GOES) S-6
EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY
LANDSAT (EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY SATELLITES) S-8
COMMUNICATIONS
OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS SATELLITE CONSORTIUM (INTELSAT) S-10
WESTAR S-14
RCA SATCOM S-15
FLTSATCOM S-18
COMSTAR .... S-20
ANIK (TELESAT) S-21
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION (NATO) S-22
SATELLITE BUSINESS SYSTEMS S-23
GALAXY S-24
TELSTAR 3-A S-26
INSAT 1-A ; S-27
MANNED SPACE FLIGHT
SPACE SHUTTLE. S-28
 PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
(Continued)
DYNAMIC EXPLORER (UE)
Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/
Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
OE-1/2 3 Auy 81 Delta DE-A/B WTR The Dynamic Explorer spacecraft were designed to
0256 PUT 3914 SLC-2W investigate the impact of solar radiation and
(Delta 155) solar wind on the boundary region between Earth
and space that affects the atmosphere, auroral
displays, radio transmissions, and perhaps climate
and weather. The two DE satellites were launched
"piggyback" on a Delta rocket into differing
elliptical polar orbits, DE-1 with a planned
apogee of 24,876 km (15,4b7 sm) and a perigee of
676 km (420 sm), and DE-2 with a planned apogee of
1,300 km (808 sm) and a perigee of 306 km (190
sm). Both spacecraft were designed to operate in
coplanar orbits, making simultaneous observations
at high and low altitudes for a mission of 18
months duration. Spacecraft separation occurred
in an orbit lower than planned. The cause was
determined to be an underfueled second stage,
approximately 15% short of capacity. This anomaly
was attributed to faulty ground support equip-
ment. Tnere was no major impact on the mission's
space science; however, the orbital lifetime of
DE-2 was reduced from approximately 32 months to
23 months, precluding a dual extended mission
beyond that time. (S) .. .

S-l
 PHYSrCSMND ^ASTRQNQMY
CCohtToued)
.SOLAR ..MES.OR.HERE EXPLORER (SME)
.Mission Launch Launch ;.NASA •Site/
.;Name Date/Time Vehicle . Code Pad Remarks/Results
SME 6 Get 81 Delta •SME .WTR The Solar Mesophere Explorer (.SME) was designed to
0427 PDT 3910 'SLC-2W obtain .basic scientific data about mesospheric
(Delta 157) .ozone over at least 2 years of Earth-orbital life-
•time. The spacecraft is spin-stabilized at 5 rpm
in a sun-synchronous polar orbit of 524•km (329
..sm), and has a .constant local time at .the equator
of 3 a.-m./3 p.m. There were no launch vehicle
-anomalies. The .spacecraft's prime data tape
-recorder failed shortly after ..operational status
..was achieved; -however, the backup data recorder
-has oper-ated normally. A small :amateur radio
satellite, UOSAT, -weighing 54 kilograms (118
.pounds), .was launched ,as a secondary "piggyback"
payload ,wi.th .SME. .It -separated from the .Delta
- approximately ".2-1/4 -.-minutes .after the major
Js.pa,ceer;.af,t.
 INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE
(Continued)
INFRARED ASTRONOMICAL SATELLITE
Mission Launch Launch NASA
Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Infrared 25 Jan 83 Delta IRAS WTR IRAS was a cooperative program between the United
Astronomical 1817 PST 3910 SLC-2W States, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Satellite (Delta 166) The IRAS used helium to supercool a 23.6 inch
diameter infrared telescope, making it so sensi-
tive it could detect a 2 mile diameter object no
warmer than 75 degrees Fahrenheit from as far away
as 60 million miles. The telescope was supplied
by the United States, with the Netherlands furn-
ishing a second experiment called DAX. The latter
was comprised of a low-resolution spectrometer, a
chopped pnotometric channel, and a short wave-
length channel. The United Kingdom furnished
spacecraft control, primary operational support,
and data collection. The four infrared frequen-
cies explored were in the 8 to 120 micrometer
wavelengths, which are largely absorbed by the
atmosphere and do not reach the ground. The IRAS
was the first true infrared telescope flown above
the atmosphere. It was extremely successful,
returning a wealth of new data on infrared sources
throughout the galaxy and even beyond. A map of
infrared sources was obtained, with further study
devoted to many infrared sources of particular
interest. The spacecraft was more economical in
its use of helium to cool the detectors than
expected, allowing a second complete survey to be
conducted. Also, many point-sources of infrared
were studied at greater length than anticipated.
The extensive data obtained will require years of
analysis. (S)

S-3
 INTERNATIONAL SFA'CE SCTENCE
(Continued)
EXOSAT
Mission Launch Launch NASA
Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
EXOSAT 26 May 83 Delta EXOSAT WTR The EXOSAT spacecraft was built for ESA by COSMOS,
0818 PDT 3914 SLC-2W a consortium led by MBB, the system contractor.
ESA also paid for the Delta launch vehicle and
launch services. The spacecraft design includes
two identical X-ray imaging telescopes, a large'
area proportional counter array, and a gas scin-
tillation proportional counter spectrometer. The
principal scientific objectives include the loca-
tion of new astronomical X-ray sources, the study
of known ones in greater depth and detail, and
gatheri ng data on thei r spectroscopic and temporal
characteristics. EXOSAT was placed in a highly
elltptica'l orbit as planned, with an apogee of
188,301 km (1.17,.005 sm) and a perigee of 347 km
(215 sm)., The. inclination to the equator was 72.5
degrees.. The. spacecraft entered service normally,
and. began . gathering scientific data as planned.
IS)
 INTERNATIONAL SPACE SCIENCE
(Continued)
ACTIVE MAGNETOSPHERIC PARTICLE TRACER EXPLORERS
Mi-ssion Launch Launch NASA
Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Active 16 Aug 84 Delta AMPTE ETR AMPTE was a cooperative scientific mission by West
Magnetospheric 1048 EOT 3924 17A Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United
Particle (Delta 175) States. Each nation supplied one spacecraft.
Tracer These were launched joined, but separated and
Explorers reached different elliptical orbits in space.
(See illustration, following) The German Ion
Release Module (IRM) and United Kingdom Subsatel -
lite (UKS) have apogees above 100,000 km (62,137
sm) and the United States Charge Composition
SOLAR WIND ARTIFICIAL COMET (DEC. 84| Explorer (CCM) has an apogee above 50,QUO km
+ (31,068 sm). The IRM released clouds of lithium
and barium into the solar wind, while the other
two measured the results, usually from both sides
of the magnetic boundary line. This enabled
scientists to study the interaction between arti-
ficially injected and natural space plasmas;
.-• TAIL INJECTION
investigate the transfer of mass and eneryy from
(SPRING 85) the solar wind to the rnagnetosphere that surrounds
and protects the Earth; study the dynamics of the
charged particle population in the magnetosphere;
and explore further the structure and dynamics of
ambient plasmas in the magnetosphere, particularly
SOLAR in the boundary regions. These objectives were
WIND all accomplished, with several releases of lithium
INJECTIONS
(Sept. 1984) and barium from the IRM, and the results were
observed and recorded by all three spacecraft.
The large amount of data acquired will require
years of careful analysis before the final results
can be announced. (S)

S-b
 METEOROLOGY
(Conti nued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
GOES 4 9 Sept 80 Delta GOES-D ETR GOES 4 was the first of a three-satellite series
1827 EDT 3914 17A with improved capabilities and higher resolution.
(Delta 152) The spacecraft provides day/niyht cloud cover
photos; it acquires and disseminates environmental
data from a system of terrestrial and oceanic
automated weather platforms. This series of
satellites employs an atmospheric sounder, adding
a third dimension to its imagery. This instrument
measures the temperature versus altitude in the
atmosphere, from which the altitudes and tempera-
tures of clouds can be derived. There were no
launch or spacecraft anomalies; GOES 4 became the
GOES-East weather satellite, stationed over the
equator at 75 degrees west longitude above South
America. After the launch of GOES 5 the satellite
was moved to the Pacific region becoming GOES-
West. On November 25, 1982, day and night photo
capability failed. The space environment monitor
and remote platform relay equipment remain
operational. (S)
GOES 5 22 May 81 Delta GOES-E ETR GOES 5 is the second of a three-satellite series
1829 EDT 3914 17A. with improved weather observing capabilities.
(Delta 154) Identical to GOES 4, it becomes the GOES-East
weather satellite stationed over the equator above
South America at 76 degrees west longitude; GOES 4
was moved to the Pacific region.,, becoming the
GOES-West spacecraft. There' were no launch
vehicle or spacecraft anomalies. (S)
 METEOROLOGY
^Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
GOES 6 28 Apr 83 Delta GOES-F ETR GOES 6 is the third and last of a three-satellite
1826 EOT 3914 17A series with improved weather observing capabili-
(Delta 168) ties. It is identical to GOES 4 and 5. In
operational service at 135 degrees west longitude,
it replaced the failed GOES 4 as GOES-West. There
were no significant vehicle anomalies. Tne space-
craft was checked out by NASA in the usual fashion
prior to turnover to NOAA, during which some minor
problems were experienced. These were corrected
and NOAA assumed operating responsioility on 27
May 83. It became fully operational on 1 June
83. (S)

S-7
 EARTH RESOURCES- TECHNOLOGY
(Contvt-nuedi),

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
LANDSAT'4 16 Jul 82 Delta LANDSAT-D WTR LANDSAT 4 is a raaj.or step in the. further tech-
1059 PDT 3920 SLC-2W nology development and application of remotely
(Delta 163) sensed data from space for management of the
Earth's resources. it provides enhanced remote
sensing photographic capabilities through a new
instrument termed the Thematic Mapper. Resolution
as. detailed as 30.5 meters (100 feet) is possi-
ble.. The spacecraft also carries, the earlier
technology of a Multispectral Scanner with resolu-
tion as Tow. as. 76 meters' (250 feet). LANDSAT 4 is
designed to transmit data- either directly to E.arth
or through the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite
System. The spacecraft will eventually be
recovered by the Space Shuttle. LANDSAT 4 was
successfully launched into a sun-synchronous 707
km (439 sm) high polar orbit. The satellite
images the entire Earth's surface every 16 days.
The LANDSAT project was developed by NASA and is
now; operated by the. National Oceanic and Atmo-
spheric Administration (NOAA). Delta 163 was the
first flight of an uprated, second stage providing
44,;035 newtons (9,900 pounds) of thrust, burning
for 430 seconds. The. previous-. Delta, second stage
burned 300 seconds. There were- no Delta launch
vehicle anomalies.. A primary subsystem with which
commands are re.laye,d. within the spacecraft, failed
in November, L982-. The: backup system is
satisfactorily, operating,. (S.);
 EARTH RESOURCES TECHNOLOGY
(TontlnuecTJ~~

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results

LANDSAT. 5 1 Mar 84 Delta LANDSAT-D WTR LANDSAT D (Prime) was called up for launch earlier
0959 PST 3920 (Prime) SLC-2W than planned due to the failure of two of the four
UOSAT-B (Delta 174) solar panels, the X-band communications channel,
UOSAT-B and a redundant central unit in the command system
on LANDSAT 4. Although the two largest sensors,
the Thematic Mapper and Multispectral Scanner,
were still functioning, a decision was made to
expedite LANDSAT 5 entering service. The D
(Prime) spacecraft is essentially identical to
LANDSAT 0. The Delta vehicle placed the space-
craft in a circular orbit about 440 miles above
sea level. As with LANDSAT 4, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is respon-
sible for operating the system. The UOSAT-B
(Amateur Radio Scientific and Experimental Space-
craft), designed and built by the University of
Surrey in Great Britain, was separated from the
Delta 72 minutes after launch. The orbital
inclination was 98 degrees for both. The small
UOSAT-B was launched as a "hitchhiker" on the
already planned LANDSAT 5 mission. (S)

S-9
 OPERATIONAL.SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Intelsat 6 Dec 80 Atlas/Centaur F-2 ETR Launch of the first of a new generation of
F-2 1831 EST (AC-54) 36B Intelsat .satellites to be deployed in geosynchron-
ous orbit. Largest and heaviest, weighing in at
approximately 1,950 kilograms (4,301) pounds).
Including antennas, the spacecraft is 6.4 meters
(21 feet) high and with solar panels deployed is
15.3 meters (52 feet) from tip-to-tip. It has 27
transponders, most operating in the traditional
C-band but several in the relatively uncrowded
higher frequency K-band. New "frequency reuse"
techniques allow some individual frequency band-
widths to carry up to four simultaneous signals
without interference. The satellite can relay up
to 12,000 two-way telephone calls and two color
television channels simultaneously, twice the
capacity of the earlier IV-A series. The satel-
lite is a three-axis stabilized spacecraft built
for Intelsat by Ford Aerospace and Communications
Corporation. The launch of the Intelsat V (F2)
was originally scheduled for 4 Dec but was scrub-
bed until 6 Dec. Centaur liquid oxygen loading
problems, Range Safety computer difficulties, and
a red condition at NASA's Bermuda tracking station
were responsible for the delay. There were no
launch anomalies; the satellite was stationed
above the equator at 24.5 degrees west longitude
over the Atlantic Ocean. (S)

S-10
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Intelsat V 23 May 81 Atlas/Centaur F-l ETR Second launch of an Intelsat V communications
F-l 1842 EOT (AC-56) 36B satellite. A hold of extended duration to inves-
tigate Atlas, spacecraft, and Range Safety
problems depleted the helium supply in the ground
support equipment. The launch attempt on 21 May
-81 was scrubbed; the launch attempt of 23 May 81
was without ground or in-flight anomalies. The
satellite was stationed over the equator above the
Atlantic Ocean. It is owned by 106 Intelsat
member nations. (S)
Intelsat V 15 Dec 81 Atlas/Centaur F-3 ETR Third launch of an Intelsat V international
F-3 1835 EST (AC-55) 36B communications satellite designed to operate from
geosynchronous orbit. Problems with Centaur
insulation panels and inability to activate Range
Safety safe and arm devices on the vehicle pre-
cluded the launch attempt 11 Dec 81. A hydraulics
problems with the yround support equipment scrub-
bed tne attempt of 12 Dec 81. The third launch
attempt went without incident and the fliyht of
the vehicles was normal. (S)
Intelsat 4 Mar 82 Atlas/Centaur F-4 ETR No vehicle or spacecraft anomalies, Fourth launch
F-4. 1923 EST (AC-58) 36A of an Intelsat V satellite. (S)

S-ll
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS-
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Intelsat 28 Sep 82 Atlas/Centaur F-5 ETR Fifth launch in Intelsat V series of communica-
F-5 1908 EST (AC-60) 36B tions satellites. The F-5 spacecraft adds
maritime capability to the system, which is leased
to the International Maritime Satellite Organiza-
tion (Inmarsat). To provide this service the F-5
has added, a four-element helical array antenna
that services two transponders operating in the C
and L bands. Provided are telephone, telex,
facsimile, and data transmission capabilities
between shore and ships at sea. The original
launch date of 23 Sep 82 was. scrubbed while
engineers attempted to duplicate a solar array
power supply problem discovered in. an identical
satellite under assembly. No anomaly was found;
the F-5 satellite was launched without incident.
It was stationed above the Indian Ocean over the
equator. (S)
Intelsat 19 May 83 Atlas/Centaur F-6 ETR Sixth launch in the Intelsat V series of communi-
F-6 1826 EOT (AC-61) 36A cations satellites. This spacecraft configuration
is identical to that of Intelsat V (F5), designed
to serve both Intelsat's regular customers and
Inmarsat, which provides modern communications
between ships at sea and their offices on land.
The Intelsat control center fired the. on-board
apogee kick motor on May 22, 1983, circularizing
the orbit. The new satellite was planned to enter
service over the Atlantic Ocean. (S)

S-12:
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
Intelsat 9 Jun 84 Atlas/Centaur F-9 ETR This was the first launch of the upgraded Atlas/
F-9 1903 EOT (AC-62) 36B Centaur vehicle, where the Atlas stage had been
lengthened to provide larger propellant tanks and
the Centaur stage improved by substituting
pressure-fed for pump-driven propellant feeds to
the main engines. The Centaur's attitude control
thrusters were changed from ones that used hydro-
gen peroxide to ones that used hydrazine (as a
monopropellant). The changes gave the Atlas/
Centaur the ability to launch a spacecraft weigh-
ing up to 2,313 kilograms (5,100 pounds) into
geosynchronous transfer orbit, an increase from
159 to 227 kilograms (350 to 500 pounds) over the
old Atlas/Centaur. The vehicle malfunctioned
after liftoff and failed to achieve orbit. An
investigation board was appointed to determine the
cause of the failure. Several engineering changes
were recommended before the vehicle could be
launched again. (U)

S-13
 OPERATIONAL SVSJ-EMSi
(;contn nued.j

Mi ssion Launch Launch NASA- Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code- Pad Remar ks/Results
Westar 4 25 Feb 82 Delta Westar-D E.TR First in a new generation of improved,, higher
1904 EST 3910 17A. capacity (.24 channels) communication satellites
(Delta 160) for Western Union. Each channel is capable of
re-laying, one color television signal or 1,5.1)0 one-
way, telephone calls. The satellite provides a
wide variety of communication services to TV,
radio, print media, private industry,, and Govern-
ment agencies. Launch was de-layed 1.6 minutes to
reprogram the Delta on-board" guidance computer to
conform to upper level winds. The. orbit apogee
was 370 km (230 sm) Vow but was compensated for by
changing the ignition point for the apogee kick
motor. There were no satellite 1 anomalies. Westar
4 was stationed at 99 degrees west longitude, over
the. equator south of San Antonio, Texas. (S.)
Westar 5 8 Jun 82 Delta Westar-E ETK Second in a. new generation of improved communica-
2024 EDT 391U 17A tion satellites for Western Union. This is the
(Delta 162) fifth spacecraft in the series that was the first
United States domestic satellite communications
system. Like its predecessor Westar 4, this is a
spin-stabilized spacecraft carrying 24 channels.
The Delta first stage underperfbrmed by 329 km per
hour (300 feet per second);, additional burn time
by the second stage overcame the deficit, .in velo-
city-. The spacecraft arrived at apogee. 556 km
(345 sm) low, which was attributed to less than
nominal performance by the Payload Assist Module.
The apogee motor and spacecraft thrusters success-
fully adjusted the orb.it. Westar 5 was placed on
location at 123 degrees west longitude, south of
Olympia,. Washington, where it replaced the first
generation Westar 2. (S)
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
SATCOM 3R 19 Nov 81 Delta RCA-D ETR This satellite is a replacement for SATCOM 3,
2037 EST 3910 17A which vanished upon firing of the apogee motor.
(Delta 158) It is the first of two RCA spacecraft to be exclu-
sively dedicated for use by the cable television
industry. The launch was delayed approximately 7-
1/2 minutes while upper level winds were further
evaluated; there were no launch vehicle or satel-
lite anomalies. SATCOM 3R was stationed over the
equator at 131 degrees west longitude, south of
the southernmost tip of Alaska. (S)
SATCOM 4 15 Jan 82 Delta RCA-C ETR Second spacecraft in a pair of 24-channel RCA
2054 EST 3910 17A SATCOM satellites dedicated for use by the cable
(Delta 159) television industry; RCA SATCOM 3R is designated
Cable Net I, RCA 4 is Cable Net II. There were no
launch vehicle or spacecraft anomalies; SATCOM 4
was stationed at 83 degrees west longitude, over
the equator due south of Detroit. (S)

S-15
 OPERATIONAL. SYSTEMS,.
(Contvinued:)

Mission Launch. Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remark-s/Resu.lts
SATCOM 5 27 Oct 82 Delta: RCA-E ETR Second generation RCA SATCOM, dedicated to Alaska
2127 EDI 3.910' 1.7B service; owned by Alascom, Inc., operated by RCA
(Delta 165) American Communications, Inc. The satellite
relays TV, radio, telephone, facsimile, and data
across Alaska and between Alaska and the lower
United States. A separate spot beam connects
Alaska, with Hawaii. The second, generation
"advanced SATCOM" is the first a.ll-sol id-state
commercial communications satellite and can relay
two, color television channels on each of its 24
transponders.; earlier RCA SATCOM's- could carry
only one television channe-1 per transponder. The
satellite was stationed at 143. degrees west longi-
tude, above the equator, south of the Alaska/
Canada border. Liftoff was delayed approximately
8 minutes to investigate a liquid dripping, from
the, first stage.. On inspection this proved to be
water condensation. (S)
SATCOM 1R 11 Apr 83 Delta RCA-F ETR This, was the second- "advanced" all-sol id-state
1739 EOT 3924 1.7A communications sate-llite in the series that began'
(Delta 167) with SATCOM 5. Like- the predecessor spacecraft,,
its primary function is' to provide communications,
between Alaska and' the 48-. contiguous; states;, it
has a separate spot beam for Hawaii. RCA- control-
lers fired the on-b.oard kick motor at 2:.30 p.m. on
April 14, 1.983. The. satell ite was maneuvered to a
position at 128 degrees, we.st. longitude, where it
entered service after completing checkout opera-
tions. (S)
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
SATCOM 2R 8 Sep 83 Delta RCA-G ETR This was the third of the advanced all-solid-state
1852 EUT 3924 17B communications satellites in the series that began
(Delta 172) with SATCOM 5. The on-board motor fired normally
at apogee on September 12, 1983, after which the
spacecraft was maneuvered to its operating posi-
tion at 72 degrees west longitude. It entered
routine service as a part of the RCA SATCOM sys-
tem, providing coverage for the contiguous 48
states. (S)

S-17
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
FLTSATCOM 3 17 Jan 80 Atlas/Centaur FLTSATCOM-C ETR Third in a series of five military spacecraft.
2026 EST (AC-49) 36A Liftoff was delayed 37 minutes for release of two
additional instrumented weather balloons to evalu-
ate upper level wind shear. As a result, pitch
and. yaw programs were adjusted. There were no
launch vehicle or spacecraft anomalies. FLTSATCOM
3 was placed in near-geosynchronous orbit at 169
deyrees west longitude, over the Pacific Ocean.
The satellite was later moved to the Atlantic
Ocean region and is providing service from the
middle of the United States to the Mediterranean.
(S)
FLTSATCOM 4 30 Oct 80 Atlas/Centaur FLTSATCOM-D ETR Fourth in a series of five military spacecraft.
2254 EST (AC-57) 36A Like earlier FLTSATCOM satellites, the spacecraft
was placed in a near-geosynchronous orbit because
of weight limitations. FLTSATCOM 4 was stationed
over the equator above the Pacific Ocean. It is
providing service from the west coast of the
United States to Southeast Asia. There were no
anomalies. (S)
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
FLTSATCOM 5 6 Aug 81 Atlas/Centaur FLTSATCOM-E ETR Fifth and last in a series of military communica-
0416 EOT (AC-59) 36A tions satellites. The countdown was uneventful;
however, the vehicle experienced an unexplained
"bump" .at T+120 seconds. The rocket continued to
perform normally but with a slight attitude
error. The spacecraft telemetry became non-
standard. While the satellite was able to be
stabilized on transfer orbit, the telemetry return
became intermittent, indicating _a power system
anomaly. The deployment of the solar panels and
communications antennas was therefore delayed, but
eventually accomplished. The satellite functions
as an in-orbit spare. (S)

S-19
 .'SMS'TiEHS -
^Continued')

'Mi's'S'ton :Launch Launch 'NASA

'Name 'Date/Time Vehicle 'Code Pad Remarks/Results

'•C'OMSTAR D-4 .•21 Reb 81 At! as/Centaur 'COMSTAR D-4 £TR. '.C.OM5TAR ..D-4 rs the fourth spacecraft in .a .series
(AC-42) 3'6'A of domestic communications satellites owned by
•COMSAT General .Cor.porati.oa, and leased to American
Telephone and Telegraph Company .(AT&T),. The
satellite-.can carry up to 18..000 two-way telephone
conversations. There were no Launch vehicle or
spacecraft anomalies. The .satellite was stationed
at .121 degrees west longitude,, over the '.equator,
•south of .Vancouv.er ..Lsland in 'Canada.. £.OMS,?AR 4D-4.,
'T,i~k;e fi't-s rpr.edecess;ors,, contains two ;sup.er-high
•fnequency :be:acons for :experiinental purposes,, -.o.per-
:at.i-ng :at <H,.0 and 28.6 .GHz.. 'Bell .Laboratories %
•e-xpenmen.ti-n.g with these b.eacon:s *to 'determine
poss/iMe future xomrnercia-1 {applications .of higher
"f-nequency ran.g;e.s..
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

.Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Anik D-l 26 Aug 82 Delta Telesat-F ETR Anik D-l, owned by Telesat Canada, is the fifth
1910 EOT 3920 17B spacecraft in the Canadian domestic communications
(Delta 164) satellite system. The satellite has 24 channels,
capable of carrying a total of 18,000 two-way
telephone calls or one color television signal per
channel. From its vantage point in space the
satellite provides coverage for Canada from the
Atlantic to the Pacific and from the Arctic Circle
to the southern United States. There were no
countdown anomalies. This was the first flight of
an uprated Delta second stage from the Eastern
Test Range. The stage was fired to propellant
depletion for engineering evaluation. Burn time
for the uprated version was increased from 300
seconds to 430 seconds. There were no spacecraft
anomalies. Anik D-l was stationed at 104 degrees
west longitude, south of the eastern half of
Saskatchewan. During flight the second stage
radio transmitter experienced a significant drop
in power causing intermittent telemetry data. (S)

S-21
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS-
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
NATO III-D 13 Nov 84 Delta NATO III-D ETR This was the fourth and final NATO III satellite
1934 EST 3914 17A placed in orbit by NASA for the USAF/Space Divi-
(Delta 177) sion, acting as agents for NATO. NASA is
reimbursed for the costs of the Delta and associ-
ated launch expenses. NATO III-D, built by Ford
Aerospace, is a drum-shaped spacecraft with fixed
antenna horns on top. The outer surface is
covered with solar cells for power generation, and
it weighs 388 kilograms (853 pounds) on station in
its final configuration. The Delta vehicle used
the standard TE-364-4 third stage; Vehi.cle
performance was satisfactory, and injected the
spacecraft into a transfer orbit. The on-board
motor was fired on November 15, 1984, to circular-
ize the orbit at geosynchronous altitude. The
satellite was then maneuvered to its operating
position at 50 degrees west longitude, . where it
can cover the Atlantic Ocean region. It provides
voice, data, facsimile, and telex messages among
military ground stations. (S)

'S-22
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

/Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Tel star 3A 28 Jul 83 Delta Tel star C ETR This was the first Tel star, owned by AT&T, to be
1849 EOT 3920 17A used an an operational spacecraft. The two prior
(Delta 171) Tel stars were experimental in nature. Two more
Tel star 3 spacecraft are planned, both to be
launched on the Space Shuttle. Built by Hughes
Aircraft as a part of their HS-376 design, the 3A
version has 24 operating transponders in the 6/4
GHz range, It is intended to provide voice, data,
video, and facsimile communications to all 50
states. When all are in service, the three-
spacecraft system will replace existing satellites
now being leased by AT&T. The 3A spacecraft conies
with an attached PAM-D solid propel 1 ant booster
stage, and hence requires only a two-stage Delta.
Both the Delta vehicle and the PAM-D performed as
expected, and the on-board motor was fired to
circularize the orbit on July 29, 1983. Telstar
3A was maneuvered to its position at 87 degrees
west longitude, where it entered normal service.
(S)

S-23
 .0 RERATIO NAL '
.(.Conttnued)
GALAXY
Mission Launch Launch ^NASA
Name Date/Time Vehi.cle Code Remarks/Results
Galaxy I 28 Jun 83 Delta Galaxy-A .ETR This was the first venture of Hughes Aircraft, a
1908 EL)T 3920 17B premier maker of satellites, into the field of
(Delta 170) operational spacecraft. Hughes built three of its
thoroughly .proven HS-376 spacecraft for its own
use, and secured the necessary licenses and
assigned orbital slots. All 24 operating trans-
ponders on Galaxy I were designed to be sold "in
orbit" to carefully selected cable programmers,
allowing Hughes to refrain from becoming a regu-
lated "common .carrier". Some early customers
included Home Box Office, Times Mirror Satellite
Programming, Turner .Broadcasting System, and the
Spanish International 'Network. All channels
operate in the 6/4 GHz range.. The .spacecraft came
with Its own attached PAM-D booster .stage, and
thus required only a two-stage Delta. Both the
Delta and PAM-D performed as expected. The on-
.'board apogee motor was fired to circularize the
orbit 'on July 2, 1983. The satellite was maneuv-
ered :to its assigned position at 125 degrees west
longitude, -where it -entered normal :servi.ce. (S)

$-24
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
Continued]

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
Galaxy II 22 Sep 83 Delta Galaxy-B ETR This was the second spacecraft in the Galaxy
1816 EOT 3920 17A series, which Hughes Aircraft built for the pur-
(Delta 173) pose of selling individual transponders to
customers "in orbit". Galaxy I was oriented
toward cable network customers. Galaxy II was
planned primarily for sales within the business
community. It is intended to relay video,-voice,
data, and facsimile communications for U.S. busi-
ness customers. Both the Delta vehicle and PAM-D
stage performed as expected, injecting the space-
craft into the planned transfer orbit. ' The
on-board motor was fired on September 23, 1983,
and circularized the orbit. The satellite was
maneuvered to its assigned position at 74 degrees
west longitude, where it entered normal service.
(S)
Galaxy III 21 Sep 84 Delta Galaxy-C ETR This was the third satellite in the Hughes Galaxy
1818 EOT 3920 17B constellation, completing the space operating por-
(Delta 176) tion of the system. The Hughes HS-376 spacecraft,
like its predecessors, came equipped with a PAM-D
solid stage attached. Both the Delta and PAM-D
performed well, injecting the spacecraft into the
desired transfer orbit. The on-board motor was
fired on September 22, 1984, and circularized the
orbit. Galaxy III was drifted to its assigned
location of 93.5 degrees west longitude above the
equator, between Galaxy I (135 degrees west longi-
tude) and Galaxy II (74 degrees west longitude).
Over half the 24 transponders had been sold prior
to launch, and the rest were to be sold in the
established Galaxy business practice. (S)

S-25
 OPE'RATIBNAL SYSTEMS
(Conti nued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
SBS 1 15 Nov 80 Delta SBS-A ETR First spacecraft in a series of satellites imple-
1749 EST 3910 17A menting a business communications system to
(Delta 153) provide private-network services, including compu-
ter data, facsimile, telephone, and video
conferencing. SBS (Satellite Business Systems) is
a consortium of COMSAT, IBM, and Aetna Life &
Casualty. Delta 153 is also the first flight of a
solid propellant Payload Assist Module (PAM stage)
replacing the TE-M-364-4 third stage. There were
no Delta vehicle or SBS anomalies. A slight wob-
ble, called coning, was detected with the PAM
stage at spacecraft separation; this anomaly was
placed under investigation by McDonnell Douglas
Astronautics Company, the manufacturer of the
PAM. SBS 1 was stationed over the equator at 106
degrees west longitude, south of Sante Fe, New
Mexico. (S)
SBS 2 24 Sep 81 Delta SBS-3 ETR Second in a series of spacecraft for Satellite
1909 EOT 3910 17A Business Systems to implement private-network
(Delta 156) business services. The spacecraft was placed in
geosynchronous orbit at 97 degrees west longitude,
over the equator approximately south of Corpus
Christi, Texas. There were no anomalies. (S)

S-26
 OPERATIONAL SYSTEMS
~(continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results
INSAT-1A 10 Apr 82 Delta INSAT-1A ETR INSAT-1A was the first satellite to combine
0147 EST 3910 17A direct-to-home TV broadcasting, regular telecom-
(Delta 161) munications services, and weather photographs (of
the Indian subcontinent area) all into a single
satellite. There were no Delta vehicle anoma-
lies. The spacecraft did not utilize a standard
solid propel 1 ant apogee kick motor, but instead
achieved final geosynchronous orbit with a liquid
fueled 489-newton (110-pound) thrust motor.
INSAT-1A was a three-axis stabilized satellite and
was stationed above the equator at 74 degrees east
longitude, south of Bombay. After orbit was
achieved, a difficulty in deploying the solar
sail, used in attitude control, and a later
anomaly in an attitude control thruster, resulted
in the loss of Earth pointing capability. The
satellite became unusable and was turned off on
September 4, 1982. INSAT-1A was the first of a
pair of satellites to be owned and operated by the
government of India. (P)

S-27
 .SPACE T-RANSBORTATI.ON .SYSTEM

•Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
STS-1 12 'Apr -81 STS-1 :ST-S-I KS.C LC-39 Orbiter Columbia arrived at KSC atop .a 747 carrier
0700 EST (Columbia) OV-102 Pad A aircraft on March -24, "1979, then spent 20 months
undergoing final ..assembly tasks,, .paced .by rework
STS-1 Astronauts .of its 'thermal -protection system. Liftoff was
•planned -for 6:50 -a.m.., :April 10, 1981, .but .a com-
John W. Yoiing, Commander puter problem in the final countdown forced
Robert L. Crippen, Pilot -postponement until 7:00 -a..m. :,EST, April 12, 1981.
The solid rocket boosters were jettisoned 2
STS-1 Achievements minutes, 10 seconds into flight and .splashed down
at .approximately .30°N, 78°W.; 260 km (.162 sm) -
First Space Shuttle launch; first time .an all-new northeast .of KSC; 4.1 km (2...5 : sm) apart. Major
vehicle was launched with people aboard; first components were recovered for reuse. 'The -expend-
airplane-like landing of a craft returning from able ^external tank .separated at 8 -minutes, .58
orbit; first time solid-propellant rockets were seconds .and -impacted in .a remote .area in the
used to launch a manned spacecraft; first recovery .Indian Ocean. The -first burn of the lOrbital
of boosters for reuse. Maneuvering System .engines put -the ispaceship into
elliptical :orbit. A fourth .burn .circularized the
Orbit Statistics final :.orblt -at ,.277 x 273 km (.172 x .170 sm).. The
-mi-s;slon ;objectlv.e was ib.asTc: -.a successful .launch
Columbia made 36.-5 orbits, traveling approximately and :.saf.e return,. But the :crew tried out Colum-
1,502,736 km (933,757 sm). Orbital velocity was .bla's systems^, conducted :engineering tests., .-and
•28,135 kph (17,483 rmph); period., 9.0 minutes; .opened .and closed .the ;caryo bay .doors several
inclination, 40.3°. times.. .With the do.ors open., .th.ey .could -see -.that
1'6 •heat-shle'lding tiles were damaged or lost from
•the tail .section — :a 'non-critical .-are.a not sub-
jected vto intense -heat :during ••reentry,. 'Throughout
the flight, -the crew .kept 'Columbia :in a •tail-
f.orward position .and .up.si de-down relative ,to the
.Earth,. An .OMS burn over the Indian .Ocean started
•an •hour-long landing descent, cand •attitude control
thr.uster.s fire.d to turn the orbi.ter right-si.de up
and nose forward. ".During landing Columbia .gradu-
,al.ly '.decreased its hypersonl.c speed '.by -fly'lng ;a
:S,eries -of S-turns. T.ouchdown .-.occurred -at 1:.20
.p.<m.. ^EST, April 1-4, 1981, -.on the -desert -:f;loor
landing istrip :(Runw.ay ,:23') '.on iRq.gers d)ny iLake cat
•Edwards Air Force IBase, '.CaTiforni'-a. Mission :dura-
..tl.on: 2 -days, ;6 .h.o.urfs/>=20 minutes.. ' (S,).<«...
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Pad Remarks/Results

STS-2 12 Nov 81 SFS-2 STS-2 KSC LC-39 Launch first set for October 9, 1981, was delayed
1010 EST (Columbia) OV-10'2 Pad A when a nitrogen tetroxide spill dissolved bonding
beneath thermal protection tiles covering the
STS-2 Astronauts orbiter. About 380 tiles had to be reaffixed. A
launch attempt on November 4, 1981, was scrubbed
Joe H. Engle, Commander when the countdown computer held the count because
Richard H. Truly, Pilot of a low reading for fuel cell oxygen tank pres-
sures. During the hold, high oil pressures were
STS-2 Achievements discovered in two of Columbia's three auxiliary
power units. Clogged oil filters were replaced.
First manned space vehicle to be reused; proved the A 7:30 a.m. attempt on November 12, 1981, was
most fundamental characteristics of the Space Shuttle delayed to 10:00 a.m. due to problems with a
— its reusability; first payloads carried aboard multiplexer/demultiplexer. A new one was removed
Shuttle for purposes other than flight development, from Orbiter Challenger, under construction in
OSTA-1 group of remote-sensing experiments; proved California, and flown to KSC. Another 10 minutes
the utility of the orbiter as a platform for orbital gave the launch team extra time. Shortly after
research; first space test for remote manipulator launch one of the orbiter's three fuel cells
system funded and developed by Canadian government. malfunctioned. Under conservative mission rules,
STS-2 had to be reduced from five days to two.
Orbit Statistics The crew worked hard to fulfill as many objectives
as possible. They tested the remote manipulator
Traveled 1,502,736 km (933,757 sm) in 36.5 orbits. system designed to deploy payloads in orbit and
Orbital inclination was 38°. retrieve them. The huge mechanical arm operated
superbly in all modes, from fully manual to fully
automatic. They pointed the cargo bay toward
Earth so OSTA-1 experiments mounted on a pallet
inside could scan the surface. These included a
radar, radiometer, data management system, carbon
monoxide distribution mapper, and ocean color
experiment. Inside the crew cabin were a sun-
flower bioengineering test and lightning survey
camera. Several scientists were satisfied with
results from their experiments, but others would
refly them on later missions. Columbia landed at
4:23 p.m. EST, November 14, 1981, on the same dry
lake bed (Runway 23) at Edwards AFB, California,
used for STS-1. Mission duration: 2 days, 6
hours, 13 minutes. (S)
S-29
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
:
~ ^Continued) ':

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date /Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results

STS-3 22 Mar 82 STS-3 STS-3 KSC LC-39 Planned 10:00 a.m. launch was delayed one hour due
1100 EST (Columbia) OV-102 Pad A to a failed heater on a nitrogen purge line in the
ground support equipment. About 7 minutes into
STS-3 Astronauts launch, one auxiliary power unit registered over-
heating, but all three functioned properly on
Jack R. Lousma, Commander descent. In orbit, the crew met with only minor
Charles G. Fuller-ton, Pilot problems — space sickness, a malfunctioning
toilet, and sleep-disrupting static coming over
STS-3 Achievements their headsets from a powerful radar station in
Asia. Loss of three communications links on March
First launch on day originally scheduled; first 26 reduced data transmission but, with other links
time manipulator arm removed a payload from the still operable, did not threaten safety. The crew
orbiter's cargo bay; longest of the orbital put Columbia through extensive thermal testing,
flight tests; first student experiment flown on maneuvering in several attitudes — nose to Sun,
Shuttle. open payload bay to Sun, and tail to Sun — and
rolling to equalize external temperatures. When
Orbit Statistics exposed to extreme cold, the bay doors had to be
heated by the Sun before they would latch proper-
Traveled 5.4 million k m . ( 3 . 3 million sm) in 129.5 ly. An OSS-1 pallet of space science experiments
orbits. Orbital inclination was 38°. inside the cargo bay gathered data on the orbi-
t e r ' s interaction with the space environment.
Inside the crew cabin were an electrophoresis
test, monodisperse latex reactor project, and the
first experiment of a teen-aged finalist in the
Shuttle Student Involvement Program. Developed by
Todd Nelson of Adams, Minnesota, it called for the
crew to film winged insects. The crew used the
remote manipulator system to move a .plasma experi-
ment outside the cargo bay despite short circuit
in >a monitoring TV camera. Heavy rains flooded
the normally dry lake bed runway used for STS-1
and -2 at Edwards AFB, California, so prior to
launch needed equipment was shipped in 38 railroad
cars to an alternate site, Northrup Strip at White
Sands, New Mexico. Strong winds there extended
the mission an extra day and Columbia touched down
at .11:05 EST, March 30, 1981. Mission duration:
8 days, 5 minutes. (S)
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
STS-4 27 Jun 82 STS-4 STS-4 KSC LC-39 Two days before launch, torrential rains and hail-
1100 EOT (Columbia) OV-102 Pad A stones pelted the vehicle on the pad, damaging
many of the orbiter's tiles. After a thorough
STS-4 Astronauts inspection, technicians made repairs with a
hardening chemical -- without delaying liftoff.
Thomas K. Mattingly, Commander To ease concern that tiles would shatter when
Henry W. Hartsfield,.Pilot water frozen inside turned to steam during
reentry, the astronauts maneuvered in orbit to
STS-4 Achievements safely dry them out by exposure to the Sun.
Thermal testing continued on this flight. The
Final orbital flight test for Shuttle vehicles; crew tested the manipulator arm again, moving a
first landing on a concrete runway; first Department contamination monitor outside the payload bay to
of Defense payload; first classified payload; gather data on particles in the surrounding
first experiment by a commercial firm; first joint environment that could affect future experiments.
NASA/industry endeavor to promote development of This was the second flight of the monodisperse
products manufactured in space; first Getaway latex reactor and the first of the continuous flow
Special; first Shuttle launch to occur exactly on electrophoresis system, both continuing programs
time. scheduled for several missions. The crew
conducted the lightning survey originally flown on
Orbital Statistics the shortened STS-2 flight, and two student
medical experiments with themselves as test
Traveled 4.7 million km (2.9 million sm) in 112.5 subjects. Also on this flight was the first
orbits. Orbital inclination was 28.5°. Getaway Special in the Small, Self-Contained
Payload Program. Space aboard the Shuttle could
be reserved by anyone at relatively low cost, as
long as the Getaway Special containers held
scientific or technological experiments. The
first one, purchased by Utah businessman Gilbert
Moore for $10,000, contained 10 experiments
designed by college students. After launch, the
STS-4 solid rocket boosters sank into 945 meters
(3,100 feet) of water in the Atlantic Ocean and
could not be recovered for reuse. A submersible
took pictures of booster debris and recovered the
flight data recorders. Probable cause of the loss
was early separation of the boosters from their
parachutes. Columbia touched down on Runway 22 at
Edwards AFB, California, at 12:09 p.m. EDI, July
4, 1982. Mission duration: 7 days, 1 hour, y
minutes. (S)
S-31
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
STS-5 11 Nov 82 STS-5 STS-5 KSC LC-39 Liftoff occurred on time after an almost flawless
0700 EST (Columbia) OV-102 Pad A final countdown. Possible delays had threatened
when a helium leak was discovered on the orbiter's
STS-5 Astronauts fuel lines and when command electronics failed in
the Payload Assist Module (PAM) attached to one of
Vance D. Brand, Commander two satellites inside the cargo bay. The leak
Robert F. Overmyer, Pilot rate was determined to be acceptable for flight,
Joseph P. Allen, Mission Specialist and replacing a broken computer chip solved the
W i l l i a m 8. Lenoir, Mission Specialist other problem. Both SRB's were recovered after
launch, despite broken air hoses between the SRB
STS-5 Achievements casings and recovery ships. Primary goal of the
mission was achieved with the smooth deployment of
First operational mission for Shuttle vehicle; two spin-stabilized commercial communications
first time four people were launched into space satellites — SBS-C, owned by Satellite Business
inside one vehicle; first satellite deployment Systems, and Anik C-3, owned by Telesat Canada. A
from Shuttle orbiter; first time Shuttle carried malfunctioning computer screen on the orbiter did
the Payload Assist Module upper stage; first not affect deployment. A 6 hour countdown for
commercial (partially reimbursable) mission; first SBS-C ejection began 2 hours after launch. The
flight to carry mission specialists in addition to satellite was released from the cargo bay at 3:17
commander and pilot; on-time liftoff in shortest p.m. EST. Its PAM motor, fired 45 minutes later,
•launch window to date for the Shuttle '(33 minutes). took SBS-C to geosynchronous transfer orbit. Anik
C-3 was deployed the next day at 3:24 p.m. EST.
Orbit Statistics An EVA was rescheduled when Lenoir fell ill with
motion sickness, then could not be attempted
Traveled 3.4 million km (2.1 million sm) in 81.5 because of a stuck pressure regulator in one suit
orbits. Orbital inclination was 28.5°. and a malfunctioning fan in the other. During
launch Allen wore instruments to measure fluid
movement in his head, so that physicians might
better understand the nature of space sickness.
Eac'h of three STS-5 student experiments aimed at
learning more about functions in micro-gravity.
One recorded crystal growth, another observed the
process of convection, and a third studied how
sponge cells reaggregated after being separated.
The Getaway Special, first payload in the West
German MAUS project, investigated dispersion of
two liquid metals. Columbia landed on a concrete
runway at Edwards AFB, California, at 9:33 a.m.
EST, November 16. Mission duration: b days, 2
hours, 14 minutes. (S)
S-32
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
"(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehi cle Code Remarks/Results
STS-6 4 Apr 83 STS-6 STS-6 KSC LG-39 This was tne first launch of Challenger, the
1330 EST (Challenger) OV-099 Pad A second Space Shuttle orbiter, which was considered
an operational vehicle on its first flight. The
STS-6 Astronauts originally scheduled launch date of January 20 was
postponed twice, once for a hydrogen gas leak that
Paul J. Wei.tz, Commander required the removal, repair and. reinstallation of
Karol J. Bobko, Pilot two orbiter main engines and replacement of the
Donald H. Peterson, Mission Specialist third, and once for payload contamination. The
Story Musgrave, Mission Specialist leak was discovered during a Flight Readiness Fir-
ing of the orbiter main engines on December 18,
STS-6 Achievements 1982, which led to a second and confirming engine
firing on January 25, 1983, followed by the engine
First NASA launch using the Inertial Upper Stage removals. Another major problem was particulate
as a booster; first launch of the satellite designed matter blown inside the cargo bay during a storm.
to replace many NASA tracking stations, the TDRS; The high winds breached the payload changeout room
walks in space by two American astronauts for the seals around the cargo bay. The primary payload,
first time since the end of the Apollo program, and the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TORS), had
first use of the new type of spacesuit designed for to be removed and returned to a checkout facility
Space Shuttle crews; this was also the first time all for cleaning. The cargo bay and changeout room
three orbiter main engines had to be changed out on were also thoroughly cleaned. TORS was deployed
the pad, and the payload had to be removed and satisfactorily and its attached booster (Inertial
returned to a checkout facil.ity for cleaning. Upper Stage) fired on time. The IUS first stage
operated as expected, but the IUS second stage cut
Orbit Statistics off 33 seconds early. TORS entered an unsatisfac-
tory low orbit. Ground controllers used "extra"
Orbiter Challenger completed 80 orbits. The orbital propel 1 ant loaded for ballast and the attitude
Inclination was 28.5°. control thrusters on TORS to raise it to geosynch-
ronous orbit, over a period of several months. It
then entered normal service. Three Getaway
Special experiments were carried in the cargo
bay. Musgrave and Peterson performed the first
spacewalks in the STS program, working in the
cargo bay for 4 hours, 17 minutes. The Monodis-
perse Latex Reactor and Continuous Flow Electro-
phoresis experiments were also flown again in the
middeck on the orbiter. Challenger landed at 1:53
p.m. EST, on Runway 22 at Edwards AFB, California,
on April 9. Mission duration: 5~ days, 25
minutes. (S)
S-33
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results

STS-7 18 Jun 83 STS-7
0733 EOT (Challenger)
STS-7 Astronauts
Robert L. Crippen, Commander
Frederick C. Hauck, Pilot
John M. Fabian, Mission Specialist
Sally K. Ride, Mission Specialist
Norman Thagard, Mission Specialist
STS-7 Achievements
First American woman to fly in space;
first five-person crew launched in a single
vehicle; first flight of an independent
small spacecraft (SPAS-01) operating under
its own power away from the orbi'ter; first
ant colony in space; first Space Shuttle repeat
crewmember (Crippen); first wave-off of prime
landing site ( K S C ) and landing on the same day
at a ba,ck-up site (Edwards AFB).
Orbit Statistics
Orbiter Challenger completed 97 orbits,
orbital inclination was 28.5°.
STS-7 KSC LC-39 The launch was on time and experienced no delays
OV-099 Pad A in schedule. The primary payload was two communi-
cations satel ites in the Hughes HS-376 . series,
Anik C-2 for Telesat of Canada and Palapa B for
PERUMTEL of Indonesia. Both spacecraft were
attached to PAM booster stages, which fired
successfully and placed both in geosynchronous
transfer orbits. Later firings of the apogee
motors on both circularized the orbits, after
which they entered service for their respective
countries. A Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-U1)
was deployed by the Canadarm and operated in space
independently, taking the first photos of an
orbiter with the Earth as the background. It was
returned to the cargo bay and brought back to
Earth. The SPAS-01 pallet held ten experiments,
including materials research in microgravity,
operating heat pipes, and using a remote sensing
scanner. The Monodisparse Latex Reactor and
Continuous Flow Electrophoresis experiments again
flew in the middeck area. Astronaut Thagard
gathered data on himself and other astronauts to
aid in space sickness studies. A special support
structure in the cargo bay held- tne OSTA-2 experi-
ments, a joint effort by the United States and
The West Germany, primarily in the area of materials
processing. Seven Getaway Special canisters in
the cargo bay held a wide variety of experiments.
Challenger landed at 9:57 a.m. EOT, June 14, on
the dry lake bed (Runway 23) at Edwards AFB,
California.., Mission duration:: 6 days, 2 hours,
24 minutes. (S)

S.r-34.
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)~

Mission Launch Launch NASA.

- Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
STS-8 30 Aug 83 STS-8 STS-8 KSC LC-39 The countdown was held for 17 minutes past the
^0232 EST (Challenger) OV-099 Pad A planned liftoff time due to weather. The actual
launch went smoothly, after one of the most
STS-8 Astronauts trouble-free vehicle processing and countdowns to
date. Orbital operations were also relatively
Richard H. Truly, Commander untroubled. Both the launch and the landing were
Daniel C. Brandenstein, Pilot performed in darkness. The major item of payload
Dale A. Gardner, Mission Specialist was the INSAT IB spacecraft, an Indian satellite
Guion S. Bluford, Mission Specialist capable of weather monitoring, television trans-
W i l l i a m E. Thornton, Mission Specialist mission, and data relay, essentially a three-in-
one spacecraft. It was deployed on the second day
STS-8 Achievements and later entered service for India. The TDRS was
checked out for planned Space Shuttle support
First flight in which all vehicle objectives were operations, and performed very well. Use of the
accomplished; first night launch of a Space Shuttle, TDRS increased the length of time the orbiter was
followed by a night landing of the orbiter; oldest .in contact with ground stations from a normal 28%
U.S. astronaut in space (Thornton, age 54); first per orbit to 50%. Thornton, an M.D., performed an
American black astronaut in space (Bluford); first extensive series of medical tests to investigate
astronaut live press conference from an orbiter; "space sickness." The RMS Canadarm was checked
and first in-orbit tile survey using the RMS out with the heaviest payload to date, a fixture
Canadarm and television camera. designed for that purpose. It handled the weight
easily. All in-orbit test objectives were accomp-
.Orbit Statistics lished, including those of the six Getaway
Specials. The SRB's and parachutes were routinely
Orbiter Challenger completed 97 orbits. The recovered, but examination of the left-hand motor
orbital inclination was 28.5°. nozzle showed excessive erosion, down to 0.2 inch
remaining material. The launch of STS-9 was
delayed until this problem could be resolved,
since the erosion was deeper than acceptable.
Challenger landed at 3:41 a.m. EOT, on Runway 22
at Edwards AFB, California, on September 5.
Mission duration: 6 days, 1 hour, 10 minutes.
(S)

S-35
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code
STS-9 28 Nov 83 STS-9 STS-9
1100 EST (Columbia) OV-1.02
STS-9 Astronauts
John W. Young, Commander
Brewster H. Shaw, Pilot
Owen Garriott, Mission Specialist
Robert Parker, Mission Specialist
Ulf Merbold, Payload Specialist
Bryon Lichtenberg, Payload Specialist
STS-9 Achievements
First flight of the Spacelab, the primary
orbital research facility of the decade;
first flight of a six-person crew; first
Space Shuttle flight of non-NASA astronauts,
including.one foreign national; first 57 degree
high inclination flight for the Space Shuttle;
longest duration Shuttle flight, at 10.3 days;
first operation of the Payload Operations
Control Center; first use of new 3-stacx fuel
cells for the added power needed by Spacelab;
use of five cryo tank sets; and first around-
the-clock crew operations.
Orbit Statistics
Orbiter Columbia completed 166 orbits, landing
on orbit 167. The orbital inclination was 57°.
Pad: Remarks/Results
KSC. LC-39 This was the first flight of Sp.acelab, an orbital
Pad A and observation platform composed of cylindrical
pressurized modules and U-shap,ed un pressurized
pal lets. The Spacelab elements can be arranged in
various combinations; all are reusable. The first
Spacelab was; researched and built by ESA, and NASA
paid for a second set of components. This first
Spacelab used one each pressurized core and exper-
iment modules (combined),, and. one open pallet.
The experiment payload was divided roughly in half
by weight between ESA and NASA. This was a proof-
of-concept flight, with the most important objec-
tive being the successful operation of the
Spa.ee lab and its support systems. The science
experiments were conducted in all major fields
expected to be explored by Spacelabs in the
future, including atmospheric and plasma physics,
astronomy, solar physics, material sciences, tech-
nology, life sciences, and Earth observations.
The astronauts performed numerous experiments in
all areas. A very large amount of scientific data
was accumulated^ and the essential assumptions of
the Spacelab operating program were all proven in
practice. Thes.e were: using non-NASA astronauts
trafned only as Payload Specialists; a scientific
command center on the ground to provide close col-
laboration with the astronauts in orbit; the
Payload Operations Control Center at the Johnson
Space Center; the. ability of the'Tracking and Data
Relay Satellite to relay huge volumes of data; and
verifying the ability of Spacelab to support
complex experiments in all planned scientific
areas. The six-man crew divided into, two teams
and worked 24 hours a day. The planned work went
so well the mission was extended from nine to ten
days,., Co.luflib.ia landed on Runway 17 at Edwards
AFB,,. California, at 1847 on December 8,. 1983.
Mission duration: 10-.days, 7 .hours, 47...minutes.
S-36
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)

Mission Launch .Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
STS 41-B 3 Feb 84 STS 41-B STS 41-B KSC LC-39 This was the first launch of a Space Shuttle under
0800 EST (Challenger) OV-099 Pad A the new numbering system. The first humeral
stands for the year, the second for the launch
STS 41-B Astronauts site (1 for KSC, 2 for Vandenberg), and the letter
for the original order of assignment. The primary
Vance D. Brand, Commander. mission goal was to deploy two Hughes 376 commer-
Robert L. Gibson, Pilot cial communications satellites, WESTAR VI and
Bruce McCandless II, Mission Specialist PALAPA B-2. WESTAR VI was deployed about 8 hours
Ronald E. McNair, Mission Specialist after launch, but its PAM booster failed after
Robert L. Stewart, Mission Specialist igniting about 45 minutes later. It entered an
unsatisfactory low orbit. The deployment of
STS 41-B Achievements PALAPA B-2 was delayed to Flight Day four because
of this failure. When launched, its PAM motor
First use of the MMU, including astronauts also malfunctioned, leaving it in a similar low
McCandless and Stewart free-flying (without orbit. (These satellites were recovered on the
a tether) over 300 ft. from the orbiter; STS 51-A mission) In other activities astronauts
the first orbiter landing at KSC; the first McCandless and Stewart operated the new Manned
Rendezvous Radar tracking in orbit, which Maneuvering Unit (MMU) for the first time, both
provided good tracking and rendezvous data flying untethered at different times, up to 300
even though the inflatable target burst and feet away from the orbiter. The MMU's performed
was thus much reduced from its planned size. well, as did the spacesuits. A 6.5 ft. diameter
rendezvous targeting balloon burst while being
Orbit Statistics inflated, but the rendezvous operations were suc-
cessfully conducted using the burst balloon as a
Orbiter Challenger completer 127 orbits, landing target. In the cargo bay was the SPAS platform
at the end of the final one at KSC. The orbital which had flown on STS-7. It was used by
•inclination was 28.5°. McCandless and Stewart on their second EVA as a
substitute spacecraft in performing capture exer-
cises for the next mission, the planned capture
and repair in space of the Solar Maximum Mission
satellite. Five Getaway Specials in the cargo bay
contained experiments in physics, biology, tech-
nology, and materials science. The CFES and Latex
Reactor experiments were again performed, and the
Cinema 360 camera operated throughout the mis-
sion. Challenger landed on the Shuttle Landing
Facility (SLF) runway at KSC, at 0716 EST on Febr-
uary 11, 1984. Mission duration: 7 days, 23
hours, 17 minutes. (S)
S-37
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA Site/

Name Date /Time Vehicle Code
STS 41-C 6 Apr 84 STS 41-C STS 41-C
0858 EST (Challenger) OV-099
STS 41-C Astronauts
Robert L. Crippen, Commander
Francis R. Scobee, Pilot
James D. vanHoften, Mission Specialist
Terry J. Hart, Mission Specialist
George D. Nelson, Mission Specialist
STS 41-C Achievements
First Shuttle mission with a direct ascent
trajectory, where the orbiter's main engines
carried it all the way to its planned operational
altitude of 288 miles. The QMS engines had to be
fired only once, to circularize the orbit. This
was the first rendezvous, capture, and repair of
a malfunctioning satellite (SMM) in orbit, and its
return to normal operations. First launch of a
spacecraft planned to be left in orbit for a year
(LDEF) and then recovered and returned to the
ground for experiment analysis. The LDEF is a
continuing program.
Orbit Statistics
Orbiter Challenger completed 108 orbits, landing
on the 109th; at Edwards AF8. The initial orbital
inclination was 28.5°, corrected to 28.6° to.
rendezvous with the SMM.
Pad. Remarks/Results
KSC LC-39 The primary payload was the Long Duration Exposure
Pad A Facility (LDEF), a 12-sided cy-linder some 14 feet
in diameter and 30 feet long, weighing about
21,300 pounds. It holds 86 movable trays contain-
ing 57 experiments, contributed by 200 researchers
in 8 countries. One, the SEEDS experiment., expos-
ed 12. million tomato seeds to space for a planned
ye:ar, for comparison studies by schoolchildren who
would plant them after their return to Earth. The
other. 56 experiments, largely passive in nature,
covered a wide, range of research projects. The
LDEF was released into the planned orbit of 288
miles a.ltitude on the second day. A second
primary objective was the repair of the Solar
Maximum Mission satellite, for which practice
exercises had been conducted, on STS 41-B. This
required a rendezvous, capture of the SMM using
special equipment, anchoring it in a cradle flown
for that purpose, repairing it by replacing
primarily black boxes, and re-release into orbit.
The mission was accomplished, largely as planned,
except that the special capture device did not
work. After repeated failures to lock on the SMM,
its use was terminated and the RMS Canada™ tried
a direct gra-pple; next day.. The SMM Control Center
at Goddard had stabilized the tumbling spacecraft
overnight, making such a capture -possible. It
succeeded., and the SMM was repaired in its cradle
and released back into orbit.. It then began
operating normally. Astronauts Ne.lson and
vanHoften also performed some engineering tests of
the MMU while outside the orbiter. Inside, the
crew observed, comb building by honeybees in
weightlessness, and' operated the Cinema 360 and
IMAX camera, systems, obtaining spectacular footage
of the mission... Challenger landed on Runway 17 at
Edwards AFU, California, at 0839 EST, April 13,.
1.984. Mission duration: 6 days, 23 hours, 40
rni nute.s. (,S-)<
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION
(Continued)
Mission Launch Launch NASA
, Name Date/Time Vehicle Code
STS 41-0 30 Aug 84 STS 41-D STS 41-0
0842 EOT (Discovery) OV-103
STS 41«D Astronauts
Henry W. Hartsfield, Jr., Commander
Michael L. Coats, Pilot
Judith A. Resnik, Mission Specialist
Steven A. Hawley, Mission Specialist
Ricnard M Mullane, Mission Specialist
Charles 0 Walker, Payload Specialist
STS 41-D Achievements
First mission of a new orbiter, Discovery;
first flight of a commercial payload specialist,
Charles Walker of McDonnell Douglas, including
the first manufacturing in orbit of a commercial
product intended for sale in a regular business
venture; first abort-after-engine-start for the
Space Shuttle; first launch of a satellite
(SYNCOM IV) specifically designed to be deployed
from the orbiter cargo bay; the deployment of the
largest structure (OAST-1 solar wing) to date in
space; demonstration of the versatility of the
RMS Canadarm by using it to knock accumulated ice
off a venthole; and at over 47,000 pounds combined
weight, the heaviest Space Shuttle cargo launched
to date.
Orbit Statistics
Orbiter Discovery completed 96 orbits, landing
on the 97th at Edwards AFB. The orbital
inclination was 29.b°.
SYSTEM
Site/
Pad Remarks/Results
KSC LC-39 This was the first launch of the Orbiter Discov-
Pad A ery, the third operational vehicle. On June 26,
1984, Discovery experienced the first abort-after-
ignition in the Shuttle program. A second launch
attempt on August 29 failed due to a computer
software problem. The orbiter main engines had
earlier been test-fired on the pad for 20 seconds,
on June 2, without problems. A launch attempt on
June 25 was scrubbed late in the countdown due to
a failure in the backup General Purpose on-board
computer. After the aborted launch next day, the
41-D mission was remanifested to include most of
the cargo from the next planned flight, 41-F,
which was then cancelled. This required disas-
sembling the Space Shuttle and returning the
orbiter to the OPF for cargo configuration
changes. The final payload included SYNCOM IV-2,
TELSTAR 3, and SBS-D commercial communications
satellites (the latter two had PAM-D stages
attached, the SYNCOM came with a Minuteman third
stage and liquid propellant apogee motor, both
required to reach geosynchronous orbit). The
first commercial-scale CFES manufacturing opera-
tion was conducted, with the first company
operator (Walker) on board. Several small experi-
ments flew in the middeck area with the CFES, and
one large package, OAST-1, in the cargo bay.
OAST-1 featured a folding solar .wing 13 ft. wide
which was extended to 102 ft. high. It had
samples of three types of solar cells that were
tested in service. A large chunk of ice formed
around a water exhaust vent and had to be dislodg-
ed by the Canadarm. All satellites reached their
planned orbits. The CFES returned about 75*'of
the planned product, due to mechanical problems.
The OAST-1 and smaller experiments were all suc-
cessfully accomplished. Discovery landed at
Edwards AFB, California at 0938 EOT on September
5, 1984. Mission duration: 6 days, t>6 minutes.
(S)
S-39
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
t'C-on.trnued)

Mission Launch .Launch NASA Site/

Name D.at.e/Time Vehicle
STS 41-G 5 Oct 84 STS 41-G
.07 0.3. EOT (Challenger)
STS 41-6 Astronauts
Robert L. Crippen, Commander
Jon A. McBride, Pilot
Kathryn D. Sullivan, Mission Specialist
Sally K. Ride, Mission Specialist
David C. Leestma, Mission Specialist
Paul Scully-Power, Payload Specialist
Marc Garneau, Payload Specialist
STS 41-G Achievements
First flight of two female astronauts (Ride and
Sullivan); first repeat flight of a female
astronaut (Ride); first flight with seven crew
members; f i r s t flight by a Canadian astronaut
(Garneau); f i r s t EVA by a female astronaut
( S u l l i v a n ) ; first demonstration of a technique
to refuel satellites in orbit and extend their
useful l i v e s ; and first astronaut to fly a
fourth Shuttle mission (Crippen).
Orbit Statistics
Orbiter Challenger completed 133 orbits, landing
at KSC at" the end of the mission. The orbital
inclination was 57°.
Code -Pad Remarks/Results
SIS 41-G KSC LC-39 This was a scientifically oriented, primarily NASA
OV-099 Pad A mission. The primary payload was an Earth Radia-
tion Budget Satellite (ERBS) .and the OSTA-3
package of four sci-entific experiments to be per-
formed during the .mission. These were operating
the Large Format .Camera, SIR-B radar, a device to
measure air. pollution, and a Feature Identifica-
tion and Location (FILE) experiment. ERBS was
lifted out of the cargo bay less than 9 hours
after launch., but its solar panels would not
unfold until it was held for a time in the sun-
light.. The OSTA-3 experiments all worked well,
but the Ku-band antenna to relay data to ground
via TORS went into uncontrolled oscillations,
requvn ng that it be locked in place. The SIR-B
radar had to store its data and relay it via TORS
by .moving the entire orbiter as necessary to align
the fixed antenna with the satellite for 20 min-
utes on each orbit. The IHAX camera flew again,
as did an auroral photography experiment. An
experiment on refueling dry satellites in orbit
was successfully conducted, indicating even those
not intended to be refueled can have their working
lives extended,. This required an EVA by Sullivan
and Leestma. Two international experiments were
.conducted, a Thermo!umines.cence Dosimeter for Hun-
gary and a set of medical,, atmospheric, materials
science and robotics experiments for Canada, the
latter performed primarily by the. first Canadian
astronaut. Eight Getaway Specials were in the
cargo bay, of which six operated successfully:.
Challenger landed at KSC at 122.7 EOT on .October
13,, .1984. Mission duration: 8 days,, 5 hours, .23
minutes.. (S.)

S-40
 SPACE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
(Continued)

Mission Launch Launch NASA

Name Date/Time Vehicle Code Remarks/Results
STS 51-A 8 Nov 84 STS 51-A STS 51-A KSC LC-39 The primary aim of this flight was to deploy two
0715 EST (Discovery) OV-103 Pad A commercial communications satellites, SYNCOM IV-1
and TELESAT-H, and retrieve the two left in low
STS 51-A Astronauts orbits by PAM stage malfunctions on the STS 41-B
mission, PALAPA B-2 and WESTAR VI. Two special
Frederick H. Hauck, Commander retrieval pallets were brought along to safely
David M. Walker .Pilot return the two satellites to Earth. Another
Joseph P. A l l e n , Mission Specialist important item was a joint endeavor experiment
Anna L. Fisher, Mission Specialist between NASA and the 3M Company, whereby the
Dale A. Gardner, Mission Specialist latter supplied the equipment for mixing organic
solutions in microgravity to study the growth of
STS 51-A Achievements organic crystals through diffusion, or random
thermal agitation. The retrieval of the two
First in-orbit satellites ever captured and satellites required EVA's by Allen and Gardner,
returned to the ground for refurbishment during which they used the RMS Canadann equipped
and planned relaunch. with the foot restraint and operated two Manned
Maneuvering Units. The two new satellites were
Orbit Statistics deployed without problems, and both reached
geosynchronous orbit after the firing of their
Orbiter Discovery completed 127 orbits, landing perigee and apogee motors. On the first EVA, on
at KSC. The orbital inclination was 28.5°. day five, Allen inserted a device called a
"stinger" into the apogee motor nozzle of PALAPA
B-2, used his MMU jets to stop its one rpm rota-
tion, and disengaged himself. Astronaut Fisher
then grasped the stinger with the Canadarm and
brought the satellite inside the cargo bay, where
Allen and Gardner prepared it for the cradle. On
day seven Allen and Gardner exchanged roles and
captured WESTAR VI the same way. In both cases
they had to maneuver the satellite into its cradle
by muscle power. The planned attachment that
would have enabled the Canadarm to handle the
satellite after the stinger was removed did not
fit. 3M reported good results from its experi-
ments. Orbiter Discovery landed at KSC at U700
EST on November 16, 1984. Mission duration: 7
days, 23 hours, 45 minutes. (S)
S-41