STS-41G: A Mission of Firsts

This recording features the STS-41G in-flight press conference, where Commander Bob Crippen discusses the significance of a potential Florida landing, emphasizing its impact on turnaround schedules. The crew addresses various mission challenges, including issues with the KU-band antenna and the successful deployment of the IRB satellite. Notably, Paul Scully-Power shares insights on ocean dynamics observed from space, highlighting previously unrecorded spiral eddies in the Mediterranean.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-41G, featuring the terminal countdown from T-minus 15 seconds to liftoff at 7:03 a.m. Eastern time. Distinctive moments include the ignition of the solid rocket boosters, the initiation of the roll program, and the successful separation of the solid rocket boosters. Notably, this mission launched the largest crew in history, with Commander Bob Crippen, Sally Ride, and Kathy Sullivan among the seven astronauts aboard.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-41G, featuring the terminal countdown from T-minus 15 seconds to liftoff at 7:03 a.m. Eastern time. Distinctive moments include the ignition of the solid rocket boosters, the initiation of the roll program, and the successful separation of the solid rocket boosters. Notably, this mission launched the largest crew in history, with Commander Bob Crippen, Sally Ride, and Kathy Sullivan among the seven astronauts aboard.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-41G, featuring the terminal countdown from T-minus 15 seconds to liftoff at 7:03 a.m. Eastern time. Distinctive moments include the ignition of the solid rocket boosters, the initiation of the roll program, and the successful separation of the solid rocket boosters. Notably, this mission launched the largest crew in history, with Commander Bob Crippen, Sally Ride, and Kathy Sullivan among the seven astronauts aboard.

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This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-41G, featuring the terminal countdown from T-minus 40 seconds to liftoff at 7:03 a.m. Eastern time. Distinctive moments include the main engine start at T-minus 6.6 seconds, liftoff at T-minus 0, and the successful solid rocket booster separation shortly after launch. Notably, this mission included the first American woman in space, Sally Ride, and the first Canadian astronaut, Marc Garneau, aboard the Challenger.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-41G, featuring the terminal countdown from T-minus 1 hour, 31 minutes, 50 seconds to liftoff at 7:03 a.m. Eastern time. Distinctive moments include the first planned hold at T-minus 20 minutes, the ignition of the main engines at T-minus 6.6 seconds, and the successful solid rocket booster separation at T-minus 0. Notably, this mission includes the first Canadian astronaut, Marc Garneau, and the largest crew ever launched on a Space Shuttle.

This recording captures on-orbit activities during STS-41G, focusing on the deployment of the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite, which faced delays due to a stuck solar panel. Notably, Sally Ride successfully used the Shuttle's robotic arm to free the satellite, which was deployed three hours late. Additionally, Kathryn Sullivan and David Leestma worked on procedures for refueling satellites in orbit, with the EVA scheduled to be postponed due to ongoing antenna issues.

This recording captures the terminal countdown demonstration test for the mission, highlighting an unusual delay as Flight Commander Bob Crippen was stranded at the Shuttle Landing Facility. The crew's arrival at the pad is noted at approximately 8:25 AM, and they begin ingress into the cockpit of Challenger. Notably, the test includes a simulated cabin leak check due to the hatch remaining open, and the crew performs a GMT delta adjustment and an abbreviated inertial measurement unit alignment, anticipating some errors in the caution and warning system.

This recording captures on-orbit activities during STS-41G, highlighting the EVA conducted by Kathy Sullivan and Dave Leestma, who performed a satellite refueling demonstration. Notably, Sullivan inspected the antenna for anomalies, reporting potential insulation issues that could impede operation. The crew also faced a minor incident when a valve cap was lost during the EVA, prompting a retrieval effort. The timeline includes significant communications with Mission Control regarding the status of the EVA and equipment.

This recording features the STS-41G post-flight press conference, where Commander Bob Crippen discusses the rapid turnaround of the conference following their recent landing. Notably, Paul Scully-Power highlights the interconnectedness of ocean dynamics observed from space, revealing previously unrecorded spiral eddies in the Mediterranean. The crew also addresses challenges with the deployment of the IRB satellite and the performance of the Shuttle's braking system, emphasizing ongoing concerns and engineering efforts.

This recording features the STS-41G post-landing press conference, where Jess Moore and Dr. Shelby Tilford discuss the orbiter's condition and mission outcomes. Notably, they highlight the successful deployment of the ERBS satellite and the challenges faced with the TDRSS antenna. Moore mentions the orbiter's quick turnaround potential, emphasizing the shortest time between landings, while Tilford addresses the data collection from various experiments, including the large format camera's 2,300 frames shot despite cloud cover.

Landing coverage of STS-41G, with Discovery touching down at Edwards Air Force Base at 9:38 Eastern time. The crew, nicknamed the 'Ice Busters', successfully resolved an oxygen leak prior to landing, and Commander Hank Hartsfield guided the orbiter to a smooth touchdown. The landing was notable for its unusually clear conditions and the successful completion of the mission after overcoming significant challenges, including ice removal from the payload bay.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-41G, featuring the terminal countdown from T-minus 17 minutes to liftoff at 7:03 a.m. Eastern time. Distinctive moments include the successful ignition of the main engines at T-minus 6.6 seconds, liftoff at T-minus 0, and the separation of the solid rocket boosters shortly after launch. Notably, this mission marked the first time a crew of seven was launched into space, including the first American woman, Sally Ride, and the first Canadian astronaut, Marc Garneau.

This recording features a post-landing briefing discussing issues with the OMS pod, including damage to its graphite epoxy skin and plans for repair at the Hypergall Maintenance Facility. The conversation also addresses ongoing concerns with brake performance and the application of frizzy panels, highlighting a change in stitching techniques to improve adhesion. Additionally, security measures for the upcoming DoD flight are outlined, emphasizing restricted access to the OPF High Bay 1.