STS-51-F Abort-to-Orbit (1985)
STS-51-F: The Spacelab 2 Mission
STS-51-F, frequently referred to as Spacelab 2, represented the 19th mission of the NASA Space Shuttle program and the 8th time the orbiter Challenger ventured into space. The mission spanned from its departure on July 29, 1985, to its return on August 6, 1985.
🚀 Mission Overview & Technical Specifications
The flight was a complex operation involving heavy payloads and a critical mid-launch emergency. Below are the primary flight statistics:
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Spacecraft | Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-099) |
| Launch Site | Kennedy Space Center, LC-39A |
| Landing Site | Edwards Air Force Base, Runway 23 |
| Duration | 7 days, 22 hours, 45 minutes, 26 seconds |
| Total Distance | 5,284,350 km |
| Orbits Completed | 127 |
| Launch Mass | 114,693 kg |
| Landing Mass | 98,309 kg |
| Payload Mass | 16,309 kg |
Orbital Dynamics
The mission operated within a Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The orbital parameters can be described as:
- Perigee:
- Apogee:
- Inclination:
- Period:
⚠️ The "Abort to Orbit" (ATO) Incident
STS-51-F is historically significant for being the only Space Shuttle mission to execute an abort procedure after liftoff. During the ascent, the shuttle encountered multiple sensor failures within the Engine 1 Center SSME, which triggered an automatic shutdown of that engine.
Sequence of Events
Note: Because of the ATO, the shuttle did not reach its originally intended altitude, though the mission was still able to proceed with its scientific objectives.
🔬 Scientific Payload & Experiments
While the primary focus was the Spacelab 2 laboratory module, the mission carried a diverse array of instruments:
- The "Soda War": The Carbonated Beverage Dispenser Evaluation gained significant public attention as Coca-Cola and Pepsi competed to see whose drink could be successfully served to astronauts in microgravity.
- Infrared Telescope (IRT): Despite experiencing some technical glitches, the helium-cooled IRT successfully mapped of the galactic plane.
- Other Instrumentation:
IPS(Instrument Pointing System)PDP(Plasma Diagnostics Package)- Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment
👨🚀 Crew & Operations
The mission carried a crew of seven. To manage the intensive workload of the Spacelab 2 experiments, NASA implemented a shift-based system.
Crew Organization
- Blue Team (12-hour shift)
- Red Team (12-hour shift)
Key Personnel included:
- C. Bartoe (Payload Specialist 2 / US Navy)
- F. Story Musgrave (Flight Engineer)
- Anthony W. England (Mission Specialist 3)
- Loren W. Acton (Payload Specialist 1 / Lockheed)
The mission was intended to follow a standard orbital profile, but the crew's adaptability during the ATO ensured the mission's overall success.