# STS-51A

Occurred 39 years ago

One of the unique attributes of the Space Shuttle featured the ability to launch satellites into space and return them to Earth if needed. That capability passed its first test during the STS-51A mission in November 1984.

Space Shuttle

mission duration

Launch

Landing

## STS-51A Mission Facts

**Mission:**TELESAT-H, Canadian communications satellite, SYNCOM IV-1 defense communications satellite**Space Shuttle**: Discovery**Launch Pad:**39A**Launch Weight:**263,324 pounds**Launched:**November 8, 1984 at 7:15:00 a.m. EST**Landing Site:**Kennedy Space Center, Florida**Landing:** November 16, 1984 at 6:59:56 a.m. EST**Landing Weight:** 207,505 pounds**Runway:** 15**Rollout Distance:** 9,454 feet**Rollout Time:**58 seconds**Revolution:** 127**Mission Duration:**7 days, 23 hours, 44 minutes, 56 seconds**Orbit Altitude:** 185 nautical miles**Orbit Inclination:** 28.5 degrees**Miles Traveled:** 3.3 million

## Crew

Frederick H. Hauck, Commander

David M. Walker, Pilot

Anna L. Fisher, Mission Specialist

Dale A. Gardner, Mission Specialist

Joseph P. Allen, Mission Specialist

## Mission Highlights

The Canadian communications satellite TELESAT-H (ANIK), attached to Payload Assist Module-D (PAM-D) was deployed into geosynchronous orbit on flight day two. On the third day, the defense communications satellite SYNCOM IV-I (also known as LEASAT-1) was deployed. Allen and Gardner, wearing jet-propelled manned maneuvering units, retrieved two malfunctioning satellites: PALAPA-B2 and WESTAR-VI, both of these satellites were deployed on Mission 41-B. Fisher operated the remote manipulator system, grappling satellites and depositing them in the payload bay. Middeck payloads for this mission were: Diffusive Mixing of Organic Solutions (DMOS), and Radiation Monitoring Equipment (RME).

## STS-51A

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## 				Resources			

## STS-51A Press Kit

Get an overview of the STS mission, its crew and activities during this mission.

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An overview of this shuttle's flights.

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-  									Page Last Updated:								  								Aug 28, 2023								 
-  									Page Editor:								  									Sandra L. Johnson								 
-  								Responsible NASA Official:							  								Abigail Bowman