| STS-51-J | |||||
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| Mission insignia |
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| Mission statistics | |||||
| Mission name | STS-51-J | ||||
| Space shuttle | Atlantis | ||||
| Launch pad | 39-A | ||||
| Launch date | 3 October 1985, 15:15:30 UTC | ||||
| Landing | 7 October 1985, 17:00:08 UTC | ||||
| Mission duration | 4 days, 1 hour, 44 minutes, 38 seconds | ||||
| Number of orbits | 64 | ||||
| Orbital altitude | 219 nautical miles (406 km) | ||||
| Orbital inclination | 28.5° | ||||
| Distance traveled | 1,682,641 miles (2,707,948 km) | ||||
| Crew photo | |||||
| L-R: Stewart, Hilmers, Bobko, Pailes, Grabe | |||||
| Related missions | |||||
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STS-51-J was a NASA Space Shuttle mission. It was the first flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis and the 21st shuttle mission overall. It launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on 3 October 1985, carrying a payload for the U.S. Department of Defense, and landed four days later, on 7 October.
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| Position | Astronaut | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | Karol J. Bobko Third spaceflight |
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| Pilot | Ronald J. Grabe First spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 1 | David C. Hilmers First spaceflight |
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| Mission Specialist 2 | Robert L. Stewart Second spaceflight |
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| Payload Specialist | William A. Pailes, MSE Only spaceflight |
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| Position | Astronaut | |
|---|---|---|
| Payload Specialist | Michael Booen | |
STS-51-J launched on 3 October 1985, at 11:15 EDT, from launch pad 39A at the Kennedy Space Center. The launch was delayed by 22 minutes and 30 seconds due to a problem with a main engine liquid hydrogen prevalve close remote power controller; the controller was showing a faulty "on" indication.
The mission was the second shuttle flight totally dedicated to deploying a Department of Defense payload, after STS-51-C. Its cargo was classified, but it was reported that two (USA-11 and USA-12) DSCS-III (Defense Satellite Communications System) satellites were launched into stationary orbits by an Inertial Upper Stage. The DSCS satellites used X-band frequencies (8/7 GHz). Each DSCS-III satellite had a design life of ten years, although several of the DSCS satellites have far exceeded their design life expectancy and continue to operate effectively as of 2011.
The mission was deemed successful. After a flight lasting 4 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes, Atlantis landed on Runway 23 at Edwards Air Force Base at 13:00 EDT on 7 October 1985.
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