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<tr><th>Orbit altitude:</th><td>319 nautical miles (591 km)</td></tr><tr><th>Orbit inclination:</th><td>28.5 degrees</td></tr><tr><th>Distance traveled:</th><td>1,725,000 miles (2,776,000 km)</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="background:#FFDEAD; text-align: center">Crew photo</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;">Image:STS-51-J crew.jpg
L-R: Stewart, Hilmers, Bobko, Pailes, Grabe</td></tr><tr><th colspan="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="background:#FFDEAD; text-align: center">Navigation</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2">

STS-51-J <tr><th colspan="2" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2" style="background:#FFDEAD; text-align: center">Mission insignia</th></tr><tr><td colspan="2" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>

Mission statistics
Mission name:	STS-51-J <tr><th>Shuttle:</th><td>Atlantis</td></tr><tr><th>Launch pad:</th><td>39-A</td></tr>
Launch:	October 3, 1985, 11:15:30 am EDT
Landing:	October 7, 1985, 10:00:08 a.m. PDT
Duration:	Four days, one hour, 44 minutes, 38 seconds

Previous mission	Next mission
STS-51-I	STS-61-A

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STS-51-J was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the 21st mission, and carried a payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. It was the first flight for Atlantis.

Contents 1 Crew 2 Mission parameters 3 Mission highlights 4 See also 5 External links

[edit] Crew

(total flights to date in parentheses)

• Karol J. Bobko (3), Commander
• Ronald J. Grabe (1), Pilot
• David C. Hilmers (1), Mission Specialist
• Robert L. Stewart (2), Mission Specialist
• William A. Pailes (1), Payload Specialist

[edit] Mission parameters

• Mass:
  • Payload: Two DSCS-III satellites 2,615 kg ea - Total 5,230 kg
  • Booster: IUS upper stage ~18,000 kg
• Perigee: 476 km
• Apogee: 486 km
• Inclination: 28.5°
• Period: 94.2 min

[edit] Mission highlights

This was the second Space Shuttle mission totally dedicated to the Department of Defense. Its cargo was classified but it is reported that two DSCS-III (Defense Satellite Communications System) communications satellites were launched into stationary orbit by an IUS upper stage. The DSCS satellites use X-band frequencies (8/7 GHz). Each DSCS III satellite has a design life of 10-years, although several of the DSCS satellites on-orbit today have far exceeded their design life expectancy and continue to perform with outstanding results. Liftoff occurred on October 3, 1985, at 11:15 a.m. EDT, from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center. The orbiter was Atlantis, making its first flight. The mission was classified as "Successful." After a duration of 4 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes, Atlantis landed on Runway 23 at Edwards AFB at 1:00 p.m. EDT on October 7, 1985.

[edit] See also

• Space science
• Space shuttle
• List of space shuttle missions
• List of human spaceflights chronologically

[edit] External links

• NASA mission summary

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