Mission: Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-3
Space Shuttle: Challenger
Launch Pad: 39A
Launch Weight: 242,780 pounds
Launched: October 5, 1984 at 7:03:00 a.m. EDT
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
Landing: October 13, 1984 at 12:26:38 p.m. EDT
Landing Weight: 202,266 pounds
Runway: 33
Rollout Distance: 10,565 feet
Rollout Time: 54 seconds
Revolution: 133
Mission Duration: 8 days, 5 hours, 23 minutes, 38 seconds
Orbit Altitude: 218 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 57 degrees
Miles Traveled: 3.3 million

Crew Members

Commander Robert L. Crippen, Pilot Jon A. McBride, Mission Specialists Kathryn D. Sullivan, Sally K. Ride, David C. Leestma and Payload Specialists Marc Garneau and Paul D. Scully-Power.

Mission Highlights

This was the first flight to include two women, Ride and Sullivan. Sullivan was the first American woman to walk in space. The Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) was deployed less than nine hours into the flight. The Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-3 (OSTA-3) carried three experiments in the payload bay. Components of Orbital Refueling System (ORS) were connected, demonstrating it is possible to refuel satellites in orbit. Other Payloads were: Large Format Camera (LFC); IMAX Camera, flying for the third time; a package of Canadian Experiments (CANEX); Auroral Photography Experiment (APE); Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME); Thermoluminiscent Dosimeter (TLD); and eight Get Away Specials.
Mission Photos (Original)
Documents