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{{Short description|1985 American crewed spaceflight for the DoD, and maiden flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2011}}
{{More footnotes|date=May 2008}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2022}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name = STS-51-J
| name = STS-51-J
| image = STS51J First Flight of Atlantis.jpg
| names_list = [[Space Transportation System]]-21
| image_caption = Liftoff of the first flight of ''Atlantis'' and the STS 51-J mission.
| image = DSCS-III STS-51-J.jpg
| image_caption = [[Defense Satellite Communications System|DSCS-III]] satellites in ''Atlantis''{{'}} payload bay
| insignia = Sts-51-j-patch.png
| image_upright = yes
| mission_type = Satellite deployment
| operator = [[NASA]] / [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. DoD]]
| mission_duration = {{time interval|October 3, 1985, 15:15:30|October 7, 1985, 17:00:08|show=dhms}}
| distance_travelled = {{cvt|2707948|km}}
| orbits_completed = 64
| spacecraft = {{OV|104}}
| launch_mass = N/A
| landing_mass = {{cvt|86400|kg}}
| payload_mass = {{cvt|19968|kg}}
| crew_size = 5
| crew_members = {{Unbulleted list|[[Karol J. Bobko]]|[[Ronald J. Grabe]]|[[David C. Hilmers]]|[[Robert L. Stewart]]|[[William A. Pailes]]}}
| launch_date = {{Start date|October 3, 1985, 15:15:30|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (11:15:30{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]])
| launch_site = [[Kennedy Space Center|Kennedy]], [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]]
| launch_contractor = [[Rockwell International]]
| landing_date = {{End date|October 7, 1985, 17:00:08 UTC|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}UTC (10:00:08{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}[[Pacific Daylight Time|PDT]])
| landing_site = [[Edwards Air Force Base|Edwards]], Runway{{nbsp}}23
| orbit_reference = [[Geocentric orbit]]
| orbit_regime = [[Low Earth orbit]]
| orbit_periapsis = {{cvt|475|km}}
| orbit_apoapsis = {{cvt|484|km}}
| orbit_inclination = 28.50°
| orbit_period = 94.20 minutes
| apsis = gee
| instruments =
| insignia = Sts-51-j-patch.png
| insignia_caption = STS-51-J mission patch
| crew_photo = STS-51-J crew.jpg
| crew_photo_caption = From left: [[Robert L. Stewart|Stewart]], [[David C. Hilmers|Hilmers]], [[Karol J. Bobko|Bobko]], [[William A. Pailes|Pailes]] and [[Ronald J. Grabe|Grabe]]
| programme = [[Space Shuttle program]]
| previous_mission = [[STS-51-I]] (20)
| next_mission = [[STS-61-A]] (22)
}}


'''STS-51-J''' was [[NASA]]'s 21st [[Space Shuttle]] mission and the maiden flight of [[Space Shuttle Atlantis|Space Shuttle ''Atlantis'']]. It launched from [[Kennedy Space Center]], [[Florida]], on October 3, 1985, carrying a payload for the [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] (DoD), and landed at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], [[California]], on October 7, 1985.
| spacecraft = {{OV|104}}
| mission_type = Satellite deployment
| operator = [[NASA]]
| COSPAR_ID = 1985-092A
| SATCAT = 16115
| orbits_completed = 64
| distance_travelled = {{convert|1682641|mi|km|disp=flip}}
| mission_duration = 4 days, 1 hour, 44 minutes, 38 seconds
| launch_mass =
| landing_mass = {{convert|190400|lbs|kg|disp=flip}}
| payload_mass = {{convert|19968|kg|sp=us}}


== Crew ==
| launch_site = [[Kennedy Space Center|Kennedy]] [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39|LC-39A]]
{{Spaceflight crew
| launch_date = {{start-date|3 October 1985, 15:15:30|timezone=yes}} UTC
| terminology = Astronaut
| position1 = Commander
| crew1_up = [[Karol J. Bobko]]
| flights1_up = Third and last
| position2 = Pilot
| crew2_up = [[Ronald J. Grabe]]
| flights2_up = First
| position3 = Mission Specialist 1
| crew3_up = [[David C. Hilmers]]
| flights3_up = First
| position4 = Mission Specialist 2<br />Flight Engineer
| crew4_up = [[Robert L. Stewart]]
| flights4_up = Second and last
| position5 = Payload Specialist 1
| crew5_up = [[William A. Pailes]], [[Manned Spaceflight Engineer Program|MSE]]
| flights5_up = Only
}}


=== Backup crew ===
| landing_date = {{end-date|7 October 1985, 17:00:08|timezone=yes}}&nbsp;UTC
{{Spaceflight crew
| landing_site = [[Edwards Air Force Base|Edwards]] Runway&nbsp;23
| terminology = Astronaut
| position5 = Payload Specialist 1
| crew5_up = Michael W. Booen, [[Manned Spaceflight Engineer Program|MSE]]
}}


=== Crew seat assignments ===
| crew_size = 5
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
| crew_members = [[Karol J. Bobko]]<br/>[[Ronald J. Grabe]]<br/>[[David C. Hilmers]]<br/>[[Robert L. Stewart]]<br/>[[William A. Pailes]]
! Seat<ref>{{cite web|title=STS-51J|url=http://spacefacts.de/mission/english/sts-51j.htm|publisher=Spacefacts|access-date=July 29, 2024}}</ref>
| crew_photo = STS-51-J_crew.jpg
! Launch
| crew_photo_caption = L-R: Stewart, Hilmers, Bobko, Pailes, Grabe
! Landing
|rowspan=8| [[File:Space Shuttle seating plan.svg|150px]]<br />Seats 1–4 are on the flight deck.<br />Seats 5–7 are on the mid-deck.
|-
! 1
|colspan=2| Bobko
|-
! 2
|colspan=2| Grabe
|-
! 3
|colspan=2| Hilmers
|-
! 4
|colspan=2| Stewart
|-
! 5
|colspan=2| Pailes
|-
! 6
|colspan=2 style="background-color:lightgray"| ''Unused''
|-
! 7
|colspan=2 style="background-color:lightgray"| ''Unused''
|}


== Crew notes ==
| apsis = gee
All five astronauts on the secret mission were active-duty military officers.{{r|blakeslee}} Before William A. Pailes was assigned to the STS-51-J flight, [[Mike Mullane]] was rumored to have been assigned as mission specialist 3 on his second trip to space.
| orbit_epoch =
| orbit_reference = [[geocentric orbit|Geocentric]]
| orbit_regime = [[Low Earth orbit|Low Earth]]
| orbit_periapsis = {{convert|295|mi|km|disp=flip}}
| orbit_apoapsis = {{convert|301|mi|km|disp=flip}}
| orbit_period = 94.2 min
| orbit_inclination = 28.5 degrees


== Mission summary ==
| programme = [[Space Shuttle program]]
STS-51-J launched on October 3, 1985, at 15:15:30 [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (11:15:30&nbsp;a.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|EDT]]), from [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|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.
| previous_mission = [[STS-51-I]]
| next_mission = [[STS-61-A]]
}}
'''STS-51-J''' was the 21st [[NASA]] [[Space Shuttle]] mission and the first flight of [[Space Shuttle Atlantis|Space Shuttle ''Atlantis'']]. It launched from [[Kennedy Space Center]], [[Florida]], on 3 October 1985, carrying a payload for the [[U.S. Department of Defense]], and landed at [[Edwards Air Force Base]], [[California]], on 7 October.


The mission was the second shuttle flight totally dedicated to deploying a United States Department of Defense payload,<ref name="blakeslee">{{cite news|last=Blakeslee|first=Sandra|date=October 8, 1985 |title=ASTRONAUTS RETURN FROM SECRET [sic]|page=C3|newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/10/08/science/astronauts-return-from-secret.html?&pagewanted=all|access-date=June 18, 2021 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> after [[STS-51-C]]. Its cargo was classified, but it was reported that two ([https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1985-092B USA-11] and [https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=1985-092C USA-12]) DSCS-III ([[Defense Satellite Communications System]]) satellites were launched into geostationary orbits by an [[Inertial Upper Stage]] (IUS). The DSCS satellites used [[X band|X-band]] frequencies (8/7 [[Hertz|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.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Day|first=Dwayne|title=A lighter shade of black: the (non) mystery of STS-51J|journal=The Space Review|url=https://www.thespacereview.com/article/1536/1|date=January 4, 2010|access-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
==Crew==
{{Spaceflight crew
|terminology = Astronaut
|position1 = Commander
|crew1_up = [[Karol J. Bobko]]
|flights1_up = Third
|position2 = Pilot
|crew2_up = [[Ronald J. Grabe]]
|flights2_up = First
|position3 = Mission Specialist 1
|crew3_up = [[David C. Hilmers]]
|flights3_up = First
|position4 = Mission Specialist 2
|crew4_up = [[Robert L. Stewart]]
|flights4_up = Second
|position5 = Payload Specialist 1
|crew5_up = [[William A. Pailes]], [[Manned Spaceflight Engineer Program|MSE]]
|flights5_up = Only
}}


The mission was deemed successful. After a flight lasting 4 days, 1 hour, 44 minutes and 38 seconds, ''Atlantis'' landed on Runway 23 at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] at 17:00:08 UTC (13:00:08 EDT) on October 7, 1985. During STS-51-J, mission commander Bobko became the first astronaut to fly on three different shuttle orbiters, and the only astronaut to fly on the maiden voyages of two different orbiters.
===Backup crew===

{{Spaceflight crew
{{LaunchAttempt
|terminology = Astronaut
| date1 = 1985-10-03, 15:15:30
|position5 = Payload Specialist 1
| result1 = Success
|crew5_up = Michael W. Booen, [[Manned Spaceflight Engineer Program|MSE]]
|flights5_up = First
| reason1 = Technical
| decision_date1 =
| decision_clock1 =
| weathergo1 =
| notes1 = Delayed due to faulty indication from main engine liquid hydrogen prevalve close remote power controller.
}}
}}


== Mission insignia ==
==Crew notes==
The 51-J mission insignia, designed by ''Atlantis''{{'}}s first crew, pays tribute to the [[Statue of Liberty]] and the ideas it symbolizes, but also as not to emphasize the "classified" nature of the mission like the first one did. The historical gateway figure bears additional significance for astronauts Karol J. Bobko, mission commander; and Ronald J. Grabe, pilot, both [[New York City]] natives.
Before William Pailes was assigned to the STS-51-J flight, [[Mike Mullane|Richard M. Mullane]] was rumored to have been assigned as Mission Specialist 3 on his second trip to space.


==Mission summary==
== Gallery ==
<gallery>
[[File:DSCS-III STS-51-J.jpg|thumb|left|130px|Declassified picture showing the DSCS-III satellites before deployment.]]
[[File:STS51J Atlantis Landing.jpg|right|thumb|Space Shuttle ''Atlantis'' lands on the dry desert lakebed of [[Edwards Air Force Base]] at the end of the STS-51-J mission.]]
File:STS51J First Flight of Atlantis.jpg|Atlantis lifting off the pad.
</gallery>
STS-51-J launched on 3 October 1985, at 11:15 EDT, from [[Launch Complex 39|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.


== See also ==
The mission was the second shuttle flight totally dedicated to deploying a [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]] payload, after [[STS-51-C]]. Its cargo was classified, but it was reported that two ([http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1985-092B USA-11] and [http://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraftDisplay.do?id=1985-092C 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&nbsp;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.

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. During STS-51-J, mission commander Karol Bobko became the first astronaut to fly on three different shuttle orbiters, and the only astronaut to fly on the maiden voyages of two different orbiters.

==See also==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[List of human spaceflights]]
* [[List of human spaceflights]]
* [[List of Space Shuttle missions]]
* [[List of Space Shuttle missions]]
* [[Militarization of space]]


==References==
== References ==
{{Include-NASA}}
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{reflist}}
{{refbegin}}
*{{cite journal|last=Day|first=Dwayne|year=2010|title=A lighter shade of black: the (non) mystery of STS-51J|journal=The Space Review|url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/1536/1|accessdate=4 January 2010}}
{{refend}}


==External links==
== External links ==
* [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-j/mission-51-j.html NASA mission summary]
* [http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-j/mission-51-j.html NASA mission summary]

{{clear}}


{{Space Shuttle Atlantis}}
{{Space Shuttle Atlantis}}
{{All U.S. Space Shuttle Missions}}
{{Orbital launches in 1985}}
{{Orbital launches in 1985}}


{{Use American English|date=January 2014}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:STS-051-J}}
[[Category:Space Shuttle missions]]
[[Category:Space Shuttle missions]]
[[Category:Edwards Air Force Base]]
[[Category:Edwards Air Force Base]]

Latest revision as of 18:40, 28 November 2024

STS-51-J
DSCS-III satellites in Atlantis' payload bay
NamesSpace Transportation System-21
Mission typeSatellite deployment
OperatorNASA / U.S. DoD
COSPAR ID1985-092A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.16115Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration4 days, 1 hour, 44 minutes and 38 seconds
Distance travelled2,707,948 km (1,682,641 mi)
Orbits completed64
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSpace Shuttle Atlantis
Launch massN/A
Landing mass86,400 kg (190,500 lb)
Payload mass19,968 kg (44,022 lb)
Crew
Crew size5
Members
Start of mission
Launch dateOctober 3, 1985, 15:15:30 (October 3, 1985, 15:15:30) UTC (11:15:30 pm EDT)
Launch siteKennedy, LC-39A
ContractorRockwell International
End of mission
Landing dateOctober 7, 1985, 17:00:08 UTC (October 7, 1985, 17:00:08 UTC) UTC (10:00:08 am PDT)
Landing siteEdwards, Runway 23
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude475 km (295 mi)
Apogee altitude484 km (301 mi)
Inclination28.50°
Period94.20 minutes

STS-51-J mission patch

From left: Stewart, Hilmers, Bobko, Pailes and Grabe
← STS-51-I (20)
STS-61-A (22) →

STS-51-J was NASA's 21st Space Shuttle mission and the maiden flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis. It launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on October 3, 1985, carrying a payload for the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on October 7, 1985.

Crew

[edit]
Position Astronaut
Commander Karol J. Bobko
Third and last spaceflight
Pilot Ronald J. Grabe
First spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1 David C. Hilmers
First spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2
Flight Engineer 		Robert L. Stewart
Second and last spaceflight
Payload Specialist 1 William A. Pailes, MSE
Only spaceflight

Backup crew

[edit]
Position Astronaut
Payload Specialist 1 Michael W. Booen, MSE

Crew seat assignments

[edit]
Seat[1] Launch Landing
Seats 1–4 are on the flight deck.
Seats 5–7 are on the mid-deck.
1 Bobko
2 Grabe
3 Hilmers
4 Stewart
5 Pailes
6 Unused
7 Unused

Crew notes

[edit]

All five astronauts on the secret mission were active-duty military officers.[2] Before William A. Pailes was assigned to the STS-51-J flight, Mike Mullane was rumored to have been assigned as mission specialist 3 on his second trip to space.

Mission summary

[edit]

STS-51-J launched on October 3, 1985, at 15:15:30 UTC (11:15:30 a.m. 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 United States Department of Defense payload,[2] 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 geostationary orbits by an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS). 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.[3]

The mission was deemed successful. After a flight lasting 4 days, 1 hour, 44 minutes and 38 seconds, Atlantis landed on Runway 23 at Edwards Air Force Base at 17:00:08 UTC (13:00:08 EDT) on October 7, 1985. During STS-51-J, mission commander Bobko became the first astronaut to fly on three different shuttle orbiters, and the only astronaut to fly on the maiden voyages of two different orbiters.

Attempt Planned Result Turnaround Reason Decision point Weather go (%) Notes
1 3 Oct 1985, 3:15:30 pm Success — Technical Delayed due to faulty indication from main engine liquid hydrogen prevalve close remote power controller.

Mission insignia

[edit]

The 51-J mission insignia, designed by Atlantis's first crew, pays tribute to the Statue of Liberty and the ideas it symbolizes, but also as not to emphasize the "classified" nature of the mission like the first one did. The historical gateway figure bears additional significance for astronauts Karol J. Bobko, mission commander; and Ronald J. Grabe, pilot, both New York City natives.

[edit]
  • Atlantis lifting off the pad.
    Atlantis lifting off the pad.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "STS-51J". Spacefacts. Retrieved July 29, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Blakeslee, Sandra (October 8, 1985). "ASTRONAUTS RETURN FROM SECRET [sic]". The New York Times. p. C3. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 18, 2021.
  3. ^ Day, Dwayne (January 4, 2010). "A lighter shade of black: the (non) mystery of STS-51J". The Space Review. Retrieved February 5, 2022.
[edit]
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