STS-6 (6)

CHALLENGER (1)

Pad 39-A (18)

6th Shuttle mission

1st Flight OV-099

1st Shuttle from MLP-2

1st Launch Light Weight External Tank

Crew:

Paul J. Weitz (2), Commander

Karol J. Bobko (1), Pilot

Donald H. Peterson (1), Mission Specialist

F. Story Musgrave (1), Mission Specialist

Milestones:

OPF - July 6, 1982

VAB - Nov. 23, 1982

PAD - Nov. 30, 1982

Payload:

TRDS-A,CFESCFES(2),MLR/NOSL(1),GAS(x3)

Mission Objectives:

Click here for Additional Info on STS-6

Launch:

April 4, 1983, 1:30:00 p.m. EST. Launch set for Jan. 20 postponed due to hydrogen leak into number one main engine aft compartment discovered during 20 second Flight Readiness Firing (FRF) Dec. 18, 1982. Cracks in number one main engine confirmed to be cause of leak during second FRF performed Jan. 25, 1983. All three main engines removed while Shuttle was on the pad and fuel line cracks repaired. Main engines two and three reinstalled following extensive failure analysis and testing. Number one main engine replaced. Additional delay caused by contamination to Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-1 (TDRS-1) during a severe storm. Launch on April 4 proceeded as scheduled. Launch Weight: 256,744 lbs.

Orbit:

Altitude: 178nm

Inclination: 28.5 degrees

Orbits: 81

Duration: 5 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes, 25 seconds

Distance: 2,094,293 miles

Hardware:

SRB: BI-006

SRM: 006LW(SPM)

ET : 8/LWT-1

MLP : 2

SSME-1: SN-2017

SSME-2: SN-2015

SSME-3: SN-2012

Landing:

April 9, 1983, 10:53:42 a.m. PST, Runway 22, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. Rollout distance 7,180 feet, Rollout time 49 sec. Orbiter returned to KSC April 16, 1983. Landing Weight: 190,330 lbs.

Mission Highlights:

Primary payload was first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-1

(TDRS-1). Malfunction of Inertial Upper Stage booster resulted in

placement of spacecraft into improper but stable orbit. Additional

propellant aboard satellite used over next several months gradually

place TDRS-1 into properly circularized orbit. First space walk

of Shuttle program performed by Peterson and Musgrave, lasting

about four hours, 17 minutes. Other payloads: Continuous Flow

Electrophoresis System (CFESCFES), Monodisperse Latex Reactor (MLR)

(MLR), Radiation Monitoring Experiment (RME). Night/Day Optical

Survey of Lightning (NOSL), and three Get Away Special canisters.

Mission used first lightweight external tank and lightweight

rocket booster casings.

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