First operational flight of the Space Shuttle, first mission to carry four astronauts; STS-5 April 4, 1983 Challenger First Challenger flight; STS-6 August 30, 1984 Discovery First Discovery flight; STS-41-D October 3, 1985 Atlantis First Atlantis flight; STS-51-J October 30, 1985 Challenger First crew of eight astronauts; STS-61-A January 28, 1986