| STS-54 | |||||
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| Mission statistics | |||||
| Mission name | STS-54 | ||||
| Space shuttle | Endeavour | ||||
| Launch pad | 39-B | ||||
| Launch date | 13 January 1993, 8:59.30 am EST | ||||
| Landing | 19 January 1993, 8:37.47 am EST, KSC Runway 33 | ||||
| Mission duration | 5/23:38:19 | ||||
| Number of orbits | 96 | ||||
| Orbital altitude | 306 kilometres (165 nmi) | ||||
| Orbital inclination | 28.45 degrees | ||||
| Distance traveled | 4,000,000 kilometres (2,500,000 mi) | ||||
| Crew photo | |||||
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STS-54 Shuttle mission was a Space Transportation System (NASA Space Shuttle) mission using orbiter Endeavour. This is the 3rd flight for Endeavour, and launched 13 January 1993.
Contents |
| Position | Astronaut | |
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| Commander | John Casper Second spaceflight |
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| Pilot | Donald R. McMonagle Second spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 1 | Mario Runco, Jr. Second spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 2 | Gregory J. Harbaugh Second spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 3 | Susan J. Helms First spaceflight |
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The primary payload was the fifth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-F) which was deployed on day one of the mission. It was later successfully transferred to its proper orbit by the Inertial Upper Stage booster.
Also carried into orbit in the payload bay was a Hitchhiker experiment called the Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS). This instrument collected data on X-ray radiation from diffuse sources in deep space.
Other middeck payloads to test the effects of microgravity included the Commercial General Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGPA) for-life sciences research; the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space Experiment (CHROMEX) to-study plant growth; the Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE) to examine the skeletal system and the adaptation of bone to space flight; the Space Acceleration Measurement Equipment (SANS) to measure and record the microgravity acceleration environment of middeck experiments; and the Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE) to measure the rate of flame spread and temperature of burning filter paper.
Also, on day five, mission specialists Mario Runco and Gregory J. Harbaugh spent nearly 5 hours in the open cargo bay performing a series of space-walking tasks designed to increase NASA's knowledge of working in space. They tested their abilities to move about freely in the cargo bay, climb into foot restraints without using their hands and simulated carrying large objects in the microgravity environment.
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