STS-51-D facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
STS-51-D

The crew attempt to activate Syncom IV-3 via a "flyswatter" device attached to Discovery's Canadarm
Names	Space Transportation System-16
Mission type	Communications satellite deployment
Operator	NASA
Mission duration	6 days, 23 hours, 55 minutes, 23 seconds (achieved)
Distance travelled	4,650,658 km (2,889,785 mi)
Orbits completed	110
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch mass	113,802 kg (250,890 lb)
Landing mass	89,818 kg (198,015 lb)
Payload mass	13,039 kg (28,746 lb)
Crew
Crew size	7
Members	Karol J. Bobko Donald E. Williams Margaret Rhea Seddon S. David Griggs Jeffrey A. Hoffman Charles D. Walker Jake Garn
EVAs	1
EVA duration	3 hours, 6 minutes
Start of mission
Launch date	12 April 1985, 13:59:05 UTC
Rocket	Space Shuttle Discovery
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A
Contractor	Rockwell International
End of mission
Landing date	19 April 1985, 13:54:28 UTC
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center, SLF Runway 33
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Perigee	300 km (190 mi)
Apogee	452 km (281 mi)
Inclination	28.45°
Period	94.40 minutes
STS 51-D mission patch Back row: S. David Griggs, Charles D. Walker, Jake Garn Front row: Karol J. Bobko, Donald E. Williams, Margaret Rhea Seddon, Jeffrey A. Hoffman Space Shuttle program ← STS-51-C (15) STS-51-B (17) →

STS-51-D was the 16th space mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program. It was the fourth flight for the Space Shuttle Discovery. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on April 12, 1985.

The launch was delayed by 55 minutes. This happened because a boat entered a restricted area. After a week in space, Discovery landed back at KSC on April 19, 1985. The shuttle had some problems during landing. Its brakes were badly damaged, and a tire burst. Because of this, future shuttle landings were moved to Edwards Air Force Base in California. They stayed there until new steering technology made KSC landings safer.

Meet the STS-51-D Crew

Spacewalk Details

Astronauts Jeffrey A. Hoffman and S. David Griggs performed a spacewalk.

• Who: Hoffman and Griggs
• When: April 16, 1985
• Duration: 3 hours, 6 minutes

Crew Seating in Space

The astronauts had specific seats for launch and landing.

Seat	Launch	Landing	Seats 1–4 are on the Flight Deck. Seats 5–7 are on the Middeck.
S1	Bobko	Bobko
S2	Williams	Williams
S3	Seddon	Hoffman
S4	Griggs	Griggs
S5	Hoffman	Seddon
S6	Walker	Walker
S7	Garn	Garn

Mission Highlights

During the STS-51-D mission, the crew launched two communications satellites. These were Telesat-I (also called Anik C1) and Syncom IV-3 (also known as Leasat-3). Both satellites were built by Hughes.

Telesat-I was successfully launched. It used a special motor called a Payload Assist Module (PAM-D). However, Syncom IV-3 had problems. Its antenna did not open, and its engine did not start.

The mission was extended by two days to try and fix the satellite. Astronauts Griggs and Hoffman went on an unplanned spacewalk (EVA). They attached special "Flyswatter" tools to the shuttle's robotic arm, the Canadarm. Astronaut Seddon then used the robotic arm to try and activate the satellite. But the satellite still did not work. Later that year, the satellite was brought back to Earth, fixed, and successfully launched again on the STS-51-I mission.

Discovery also carried other experiments. These included a system for separating biological materials (CFES-III). There were also two student experiments and a heart monitoring device (AFE). Other items included "Getaway specials" (small experiments) and tests on how liquids mix in space. The crew also studied how simple toys behave in microgravity (weightlessness). The results of the "Toys in Space" study were shared with school students.

Wake-up Calls from Space

NASA started a fun tradition of playing music to astronauts. This began during the Project Gemini missions. The first time music was used to wake up a crew was during Apollo 15. Each song is chosen carefully, often by the astronauts' families. The music usually has a special meaning to an astronaut or relates to their daily tasks.

Images for kids

• 

  Telesat-I during deployment

• 

  Syncom IV-3 during deployment

• 

  Hoffman and Griggs attach the flyswatter device to the end of the Canadarm.

See also

In Spanish: STS-51-D para niños