# STS-39

Occurred 33 years ago

STS-39 was dedicated to the Department of Defense 

Orbiter

mission duration

Launch

Landing

## Mission Facts

**Mission:** Department of Defense, AFP-675; IBSS; SPAS-II**Space Shuttle:**Discovery**Launch Pad:** 39A**Launch Weight:**247,373 pounds**Launched:** April 28, 1991, 7:33:14 a.m. EDT**Landing Site:** Kennedy Space Center, Florida**Landing:** May 6, 1991, 2:55:37 p.m. EDT**Landing Weight:** 211,512 pounds**Runway:** 15**Rollout Distance:**9,235 feet**Rollout Time:** 56 seconds**Revolution:** 134**Mission Duration:**8 days, 7 hours, 22 minutes, 23 seconds**Orbit Altitude:** 190 nautical miles**Orbit Inclination:** 57 degrees**Miles Traveled:**3.5 million

### Crew

Michael L. Coats, CommanderL. Blaine Hammond, PilotGuion S. Bluford Jr., Mission SpecialistGregory J. Harbaugh, Mission SpecialistRichard J. Hieb, Mission SpecialistDonald R. McMonagle, Mission SpecialistCharles L. Veach, Mission Specialist

## Launch Highlights

The launch was originally scheduled for March 9, but during processing work at Pad A, significant cracks were found on all four lug hinges on the two external tank umbilical door drive mechanisms. NASA managers opted to roll back the vehicle to the VAB on March 7, and then to OPF for repair. Hinges were replaced with units taken from orbiter Columbia, and reinforced. Discovery returned to the pad on April 1, launch was re-set for April 23. The mission was again postponed when, during prelaunch external tank loading, a transducer on the high-pressure oxidizer turbopump for main engine number three showed readings out of specification. The transducer and its cable harness were replaced and tested. Launch was rescheduled for April 28.

## Mission Highlights

Dedicated Department of Defense mission. An unclassified payload included Air Force Program-675 (AFP675); Infrared Background Signature Survey (IBSS) with Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV), Chemical Release Observation (CRO) and Shuttle Pallet Satellite-II (SPAS-II) experiments; and Space Test Payload-1 (STP-1). Classified payload consisted of Multi-Purpose Release Canister (MPEC). Also on board was Radiation Monitoring Equipment III (RME III) and Cloud Logic to Optimize Use of Defense Systems-IA (CLOUDS-I).

## STS-39

15 Images

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## 				Resources			

## STS-39 Press Kit

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

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-  									Page Last Updated:								  								Sep 19, 2023								 
-  									Page Editor:								  									Sandra L. Johnson								 
-  								Responsible NASA Official:							  								Abigail Bowman