STS-6

Launch, orbit & landing data: Designation  13968 / 83026A Launch date - time  4 Apr 1983 - 18:30:00 UT Launch site  KSC, LC39A Launch vehicle  Space Shuttle (#6) Orbiter  Challenger OV-099 (#1) Primary payload  TDRS-1 Mass (kg)  21305 Earth orbit on :    - Perigee / Apogee  288 x 295 km    - Inclination  28.5°    - Period  90.4 min Landing date - time  9 Apr 1983 - 18:53:42 UT Landing location  Edwards AFB, Runway 22 Flight Duration (d:hr:min)  5d 00h 23m Nbr orbits  81

Flight Crew

Mission details:

STS-6 - Deployment of the TDRS by STS-6 Challenger - Credit: NASA. Payload bay views during IUS/TDRS-A pre-deployment procedures Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) and Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-A is raised above payload bay (PLB) by Airborne Support Equipment (ASE) aft frame [electromechanical] tilt actuator (AFTA) to 58 degree deployment position

Manned four crew. First flight of space shuttle Challenger; deployed TDRSS. Payloads: Deployment of Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS)-A with Inertial Upper Stage (lUS)-2, Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (CFES), Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR), Night/Day Optical Survey of Lightning (NOSL) experiment, three getaway specials (GAS).

STS-6 - TDRS satellite over African Rift Valley, Kenya, Africa - Credit: NASA.

STS-6 - MS Musgrave tethered to starboard sill longeron floats outside PLB - Credit: NASA.

Mission Name: STS-6 (6)
CHALLENGER (1)
Pad 39-A (18)
6th Shuttle mission
1st Flight OV-099
1st Shuttle from MLP-2
1st Launch Light Weight External Tank

Crew:
Paul J. Weitz (2), Commander
Karol J. Bobko (1), Pilot
Donald H. Peterson (1), Mission Specialist
F. Story Musgrave (1), Mission Specialist

STS-6 - Views of EVA performed during STS-6 - Credit: NASA.

Payload:
TDRS-A,CFES(2),MLR/NOSL(1),GAS(x3)
Mission Objectives:

Launch:
April 4, 1983, 1:30:00 p.m. EST. Launch set for Jan. 20 postponed due to hydrogen leak into number one main engine aft compartment discovered during 20 second Flight Readiness Firing (FRF) Dec. 18, 1982. Cracks in number one main engine confirmed to be cause of leak during second FRF performed Jan. 25, 1983. All three main engines removed while Shuttle was on the pad and fuel line cracks repaired. Main engines two and three reinstalled following extensive failure analysis and testing. Number one main engine replaced. Additional delay caused by contamination to Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-1 (TDRS-1) during a severe storm. Launch on April 4 proceeded as scheduled. Launch Weight: 256,744 lbs.
Orbit:
Altitude: 178nm
Inclination: 28.5 degrees
Orbits: 81
Duration: 5 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes, 25 seconds
Distance: 2,094,293 miles

STS-6 - Views of EVA performed during STS-6 - Credit: NASA.

Landing:
April 9, 1983, 10:53:42 a.m. PST, Runway 22, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Rollout distance 7,180 feet, Rollout time 49 sec. Orbiter returned to KSC April 16, 1983. Landing Weight: 190,330 lbs.

Mission Highlights:
Primary payload was first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-1
(TDRS-1). Malfunction of Inertial Upper Stage booster resulted in
placement of spacecraft into improper but stable orbit. Additional
propellant aboard satellite used over next several months gradually
place TDRS-1 into properly circularized orbit. First space walk
of Shuttle program performed by Peterson and Musgrave, lasting
about four hours, 17 minutes. Other payloads: Continuous Flow
Electrophoresis System (CFES), Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR)
(MLR), Radiation Monitoring Experiment (RME). Night/Day Optical
Survey of Lightning (NOSL), and three Get Away Special canisters.
Mission used first lightweight external tank and lightweight
rocket booster casings.

Space Shuttle STS-6 landing

Space Shuttle STS-6 transfer

Astrophilately covers:

Launch cancel KSC, signed by the crew. Credit:

Machine launch cancel KSC, signed by the Directors. Credit:

Landing cancel Edwards.