STS-41-G was the thirteenth mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the sixth flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger. Launched on October 5, 1984, from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, the mission marked several significant milestones in human spaceflight.
Mission Overview
- Spacecraft: Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099)
- Launch Date: October 5, 1984, 11:03:00 UTC
- Launch Site: Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Landing Date: October 13, 1984, 11:26:30 UTC
- Landing Site: Shuttle Landing Facility, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
- Duration: 8 days, 5 hours, 23 minutes, 33 seconds
- Orbits: 133
- Distance Traveled: 5,590,922 km (3,473,047 miles)
Crew STS-41-G was the first space mission to carry a crew of seven.
- Commander: Robert L. Crippen (4th space flight)
- Pilot: Jon A. McBride (1st space flight)
- Mission Specialist 1: Sally K. Ride (2nd space flight)
- Mission Specialist 2: Kathryn D. Sullivan (1st space flight)
- Mission Specialist 3: David C. Leestma (1st space flight)
- Payload Specialist 1: Paul D. Scully-Power (1st space flight) - Royal Australian Navy oceanographer
- Payload Specialist 2: Marc Garneau (1st space flight) - First Canadian in space
Mission Highlights and Objectives The primary objectives of STS-41-G included the deployment of a major satellite and conducting several scientific experiments:
- Earth Radiation Budget Satellite (ERBS) Deployment: The ERBS was successfully deployed from Challenger's cargo bay. This satellite was a key component of NASA's Earth Radiation Budget Experiment (ERBE), designed to measure the balance between incoming solar radiation and outgoing terrestrial radiation, crucial for climate studies.
- Orbital Refueling System (ORS) Demonstration: Astronauts David Leestma and Kathryn Sullivan conducted a 3.5-hour Extravehicular Activity (EVA), or spacewalk, to demonstrate the feasibility of refueling a satellite in orbit. This marked the first EVA by an American woman (Kathryn Sullivan).
- Shuttle Imaging Radar-B (SIR-B): The SIR-B experiment gathered radar data for geological studies, oceanography, and land use mapping. It was part of the Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-3 (OSTA-3) payload.
- Large Format Camera (LFC): The LFC was used to acquire high-resolution photographic images of the Earth for cartography and remote sensing.
- Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications-3 (OSTA-3) Payload: In addition to SIR-B, the OSTA-3 payload included experiments related to atmospheric and environmental research.
- Electrophoresis Experiment Operations (CFES-III): Continued microgravity research into separating biological materials.
- Canadian Experiments: Marc Garneau performed experiments for the Canadian Space Agency, focusing on space sickness, material science, and atmospheric physics.
Significance STS-41-G was notable for several "firsts":
- It was the first space mission with a crew of seven individuals.
- Kathryn D. Sullivan became the first American woman to perform an EVA.
- Marc Garneau became the first Canadian to travel into space.
- It was also the first time two women (Sally Ride and Kathryn Sullivan) were in space together on the same mission.
The mission successfully completed all its primary objectives, significantly contributing to Earth science, satellite technology, and human spaceflight capabilities.