STS-51B: The Spacelab-3 Science Mission

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-51B, detailing the terminal countdown from T minus three hours to liftoff. Key ascent milestones include SRB ignition at T minus 0 seconds, roll program initiation at 18 seconds, and SRB separation at 1 minute 50 seconds. The crew, including Commander Bob Overmyer and Pilot Fred Gregory, is noted for their distinct gold and silver team uniforms, and the mission features the first operational flight of the Space Lab module.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-51B, detailing the terminal countdown from T minus three hours to liftoff. Key ascent milestones include SRB ignition at T minus 0 seconds, roll program initiation at 18 seconds, and SRB separation at 1 minute 50 seconds. The crew, led by Commander Bob Overmyer and Pilot Fred Gregory, is noted for their distinct gold and silver team uniforms, and the mission features the first operational flight of the Space Lab module.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-51B, detailing the terminal countdown from T minus 1 hour 20 minutes to liftoff. Distinctive moments include a hold at T minus 4 minutes due to a failure to initiate locks drain back, and the successful liftoff at T minus 0 seconds, with key ascent milestones such as SRB separation at 2 minutes 10 seconds and main engine cutoff at 4 minutes 30 seconds. Commander Bob Overmyer and Pilot Fred Gregory are noted during the countdown checks.

This recording captures on-orbit activities during the activation of the Space Lab module, approximately 5 hours and 37 minutes into the mission. Notably, Mission Specialist Bill Thornton conducts setup tasks in the Research Animal Holding Facility, while Payload Specialist Taylor Wang works on the Drop Dynamics module. The crew also addresses an anomaly with the galley water supply, which unexpectedly resumes functioning, and they complete critical communications checks and subsystem configurations.

This highlights reel captures the launch of Challenger at T minus 30 seconds, with main engine start confirmed and SRB ignition at T zero. It features the first time a large number of animals, including 24 rats and two monkeys, lived together in space during the Space Lab mission. Additionally, the recording includes a unique experiment observing the aurora from orbit, utilizing a TV camera to capture its dynamics, marking a significant scientific endeavor in understanding this phenomenon.

This recording features on-orbit activities during the Space Lab operations, specifically at 13 hours, 19 minutes into the mission. Notably, Mission Specialist Bill Thornton conducts a detailed inspection of the research animal holding facility, while Payload Specialist Taylor Wang addresses issues with the Drop Dynamics module. The crew also engages in troubleshooting discussions regarding the fluid experiment system, with Dr. Ravindra Lal providing guidance on experiment procedures.

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Shuttle 51-B Landing — Agency provided indexes include the following topics: Covers landing of Orbiter Challenger, shuttle flight 51-B at Edwards. Shows three scenes (200 FPS, 100 FPS, and 48 FPS) of Challenger on final approach and landing to left, all shot from same position. Keywords: DoD; NASA; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Space Shuttle Challenger; STS-51-B.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-51B, detailing the terminal countdown from T minus three hours to liftoff. Distinctive moments include a hold at T minus 4 minutes due to a faulty transducer, and the successful liftoff at T minus 0 seconds, with key ascent milestones such as SRB ignition at T minus 0 seconds, main engine cutoff at 4 minutes 30 seconds, and external tank separation shortly thereafter. The crew, including Commander Bob Overmyer and Pilot Fred Gregory, is noted for their distinct gold and silver team uniforms.

Landing coverage of STS-51B at Kennedy Space Center, featuring a hard touchdown at 07:16. Notably, the orbiter Discovery experienced a blown tire during rollout, resulting in visible damage to the thermal tiles. Senator Jake Garn, the congressional observer, described the mission as an 'incredible experience' and required assistance after landing due to the effects of weightlessness. The crew successfully completed their mission despite the landing anomaly.