STS-6: Challenger's First Flight and the First Shuttle Spacewalk

Space Shuttle Challenger Arrival

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-6, detailing the terminal countdown leading to liftoff at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Distinctive moments include the successful liftoff of Challenger, solid rocket booster separation, and main engine cutoff at 8 minutes and 20 seconds. Notably, the countdown featured a 10-minute hold at T-minus 9 minutes, and Commander Paul Weitz confirmed liftoff with the call, 'Challenger's underway.'

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This crew debrief recording captures the STS-6 mission's ascent and IUS deployment discussions, highlighting a notable cabin crack heard shortly after launch at approximately 1 minute into flight. The crew, including Story Musgrave and Don Peterson, recounts the smooth operation of the Ohm's engines and the surprising visual effects during the IUS deployment, particularly the satellite's bright illumination upon entering sunlight. The EVA objectives were also discussed, emphasizing successful suit performance and operational checks.

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This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-6, detailing the terminal countdown leading to liftoff at T-0. Distinctive moments include the successful liftoff of Challenger, solid rocket booster separation, and main engine cutoff. The countdown featured a 10-minute hold at T-minus 9 minutes, and Dr. Norm Thagard is noted as the first medical doctor to fly in space, while Dr. Sally Ride is highlighted as the first woman to fly on a U.S. spacecraft.

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This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-6, detailing the terminal countdown leading to liftoff at T-0. Distinctive moments include a 10-minute hold at T-minus 9 minutes due to a standby computer error that was resolved without significance, and the successful liftoff of Challenger at 18:30:00.0884, which was 800th of a second late. The ascent milestones mentioned include solid rocket booster separation and main engine cutoff.

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MSFC - STS-6 Launch: SRB's Separation Acquisition Through Splashdown (80'' lens 50 FPayload Specialist)

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This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-6, detailing the terminal countdown leading to liftoff at T-0. Distinctive moments include the ignition of the main engines at T-minus 6.8 seconds, solid rocket booster separation, and main engine cutoff. The countdown featured a 10-hour 40-minute hold starting at 12 noon, and a 10-minute hold at T-minus 9 minutes due to a standby computer error that was resolved without significance.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting the activation of gas canisters for experiments at 23 minutes and 42 seconds. Story Musgrave discusses the Japanese gas canister for snowflake production and the Air Force Academy's experiments on metal joining and microorganism development. The commentary also includes a congratulatory call from the President, acknowledging the crew's efforts and the significance of their mission.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-6, detailing the terminal countdown leading to liftoff at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Distinctive moments include the ignition of the main engines at T-minus 6.8 seconds, liftoff of Challenger, and solid rocket booster separation. The countdown featured a 10-minute hold at T-minus 9 minutes due to a standby computer check, and Commander Paul Weitz confirmed liftoff with the call, 'Challenger's underway.'

This STS-6 status briefing occurs during the mission's early operations, highlighting several technical issues. Notably, Commander Paul Weitz reports debris, including a button, floating out of the payload bay and ice buildup near the vertical fin. The briefing also addresses a failure of the minus Z star tracker during a self-test and ongoing troubleshooting of the OPS1 recorder, which had been experiencing problems but was reestablished shortly after loss of signal.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting the successful IUS avionics checkout at 3 hours and 11 minutes, which prepared the satellite for communication with the ground. Story Musgrave discusses the buildup of ice on the center engine's nozzle and the implications for the mission. Additionally, the commentary details the upcoming command relay to the TDRS during the Guam pass at 4 hours and 15 minutes, marking a significant step in payload operations.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting actuator checks on the IUS tilt table performed by Mission Specialist Jordan Musgrave at 8 hours and 35 minutes, ahead of schedule. The commentary also details a state vector transfer to the IUS guidance system at 4 hours and 32 minutes, and a new deployment time for the TDRS at 10 hours, 1 minute, 53 seconds. Additionally, the crew addresses a malfunction with the MLR power switch during their operations.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the successful separation of the IUS and TDRS, confirmed at 21 hours 40 minutes. Story Musgrave discusses the status of the TDRS, noting its stable inertial mode and operational solar arrays. The crew also addresses a malfunction with the MLR power switch and the need to check various circuit breakers during their operations.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the inertial measurement unit alignment conducted by Commander PJ Whites at 23 hours 51 minutes. The commentary also details a contingency plan for a potential OMS engine failure during a rendezvous burn, emphasizing the need for a new burn pad if necessary. Additionally, the crew discusses air sample collection and the status of the humidity separator, noting an anomaly with O2 flow into the cabin earlier in the mission.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting Story Musgrave's activation of the continuous flow electrophoresis system at 1 hour and 26 minutes. The commentary also discusses a telemetry anomaly during the inertial upper stage burn at 6:00 am, which initially indicated the spacecraft was tumbling. Additionally, the crew prepares for a live television downlink to showcase gap filler material observed near the windows at 2 hours and 55 minutes.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting Story Musgrave's activation of the gas canister experiments at 4 hours and 23 minutes, including the Japanese snowflake production experiment and the Air Force Academy's metal joining study. The crew also discusses cleaning debris from the IMU fan filters, which included screws and bolts, and addresses a telemetry issue with the star tracker shutter caused by target suppression. Additionally, they prepare for a TDRS pass while managing cabin oxygen flow alarms.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting the third rendezvous phasing maneuver conducted by Commander Paul Weitz at 21 hours 15 minutes, which involved a retrograde RCS burn lasting 3 seconds. The crew also discusses troubleshooting unexpected surges in oxygen and nitrogen flow into the cabin, with indications of a potential small leak in the L2D RCS jet. Additionally, Mission Specialist Don Peterson activates the continuous flow electrophoresis experiment as the crew prepares for a water dump.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting Story Musgrave's early initiation of the EMU checkout at 1 day, 23 hours, 35 minutes, approximately five and a half hours ahead of schedule. The commentary also details a live television segment during a pass over the continental United States, showcasing Commander Paul Weitz and Pilot Bobko conducting a flight control system check, while Mission Specialist Don Peterson operates the continuous flow electrophoresis system at 2 days, 1 hour, 55 minutes.

This STS-6 status briefing occurs during mission elapsed time of 2 days, 3 hours, 50 minutes, focusing on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). Flight Director Gary Cohen discusses the TDRS's operational capabilities and the plan to boost it to geosynchronous orbit, with confidence in its propellant for a 10-year operational life. Additionally, a private medical conference is scheduled for the upcoming Guam pass, and the crew reports on various technical checks, including EOG data and APU fuel management.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the completion of the extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) checkout ahead of schedule at 21 hours, 25 minutes. The crew discusses preparations for the upcoming EVA, including configuring biomedical attachments and checking the EMU light batteries. Additionally, Story Musgrave mentions the need to cycle the batteries to potentially recover them, highlighting an operational challenge. The commentary also notes a planned change of shift press conference at 11:00 am Central Time.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the activation of the getaway special canister for the snow experiment at 3 days, 0 hours, 41 minutes. Mission specialists Story Musgrave and Don Peterson are preparing for their EVA, with pre-breathe activities underway about an hour before the scheduled spacewalk. The crew also addresses a teleprinter issue, which was resolved by cycling the power, and discusses the cleaning of air filters in the spacecraft.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the EVA activities at 3 hours and 50 minutes, where astronauts Story Musgrave and Don McBride encounter a tension issue with the winch during the IUS tilt table operation. The crew successfully resolves the problem by removing the rope from the roller, allowing them to continue their tasks. Additionally, the commentary includes a status check on the astronauts' EMU conditions and oxygen levels during the EVA.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the preparations for the EVA by astronauts Story Musgrave and Donald Peterson at 3 days, 1 hour, 39 minutes. The crew engages in a congratulatory call with President Reagan, who acknowledges their ahead-of-schedule progress and the significance of their mission. Additionally, the commentary details the crew's troubleshooting of a winch operation issue during the EVA, highlighting the challenges faced in real-time.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting the completion of America's first spacewalk in nine years at approximately 3 days, 6 hours, 43 minutes. Story Musgrave and Don Peterson conducted the EVA, which lasted 4 hours and 17 minutes, during which they encountered an airlock pressure issue that was resolved by closing a valve. The crew also prepared for a rendezvous phasing maneuver and discussed the status of the EMUs after the EVA.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the preparations for the rendezvous phasing burn number four at three days, eight hours, and 23 minutes. The commentary includes a discussion about the inertial measurement units performing well and the crew's troubleshooting of a malfunction with the MLR power switch. Additionally, the crew recharges their spacesuit backpacks in anticipation of a potential spacewalk, and there is a notable mention of a loud noise from the aft section of the spacecraft.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, highlighting the completion of microbial screening by the crew at 22 hours and 5 minutes. The crew discusses observations of oil slicks in the Persian Gulf and captures images of thunderstorms through the back windows. Additionally, there is a notable exchange regarding a malfunction with the water dispenser needles, prompting suggestions for spare parts and tools.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the crew's preparations for the payload bay door closing. At 4 hours and 36 minutes, the crew discusses unbolting the brackets for the two TV monitors used for external camera views, ensuring they are secured with tape for entry. Additionally, they receive instructions on cleaning the cabin fan filters and managing the IMU filters, highlighting ongoing housekeeping activities.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-6, focusing on the payload bay door closing at 20 hours, 15 minutes, with the crew confirming the left door's closure and addressing an off-nominal indication for the right door. The commentary includes a detailed discussion about the deorbit preparation stringing for GPCs, emphasizing the need for redundancy in case of jet failures. Additionally, the crew prepares for the IMU alignment prior to reentry, with specific instructions from Mission Control.

This recording captures the landing coverage of STS-6, featuring Challenger's touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base at 5 days, 0 hours, 23 minutes, and 42 seconds. Notably, John Young provides detailed wind and turbulence reports from a shuttle training aircraft, confirming favorable conditions for landing. The crew is advised to manually close the speed brakes at 2,500 feet, and the landing site is described as clear with a large crowd present to witness the event.

This recording captures the landing coverage of STS-6, featuring Challenger's touchdown at Edwards Air Force Base at 5 days, 0 hours, 23 minutes, and 42 seconds. Commander Paul Weitz reports a successful deorbit burn, stating it was 'a good burn right down the pipe and smooth all the way.' The crew prepares for landing with manual control, and the final approach is noted to have a headwind of 22 knots. The unofficial wheel stop time is recorded at 5 days, 0 hours, 24 minutes, and 32 seconds.

This recording captures the post-landing activities of the Challenger crew following their successful mission, including their exit from the spacecraft and a walk-around inspection. The crew is greeted by JSC Director Flight Operations George Abbey, and a mission plaque is hung in Mission Control, commemorating the mission alongside previous programs. Additionally, the ground service crew reports zero leaks in the spacecraft systems, ensuring readiness for the next steps.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-6, detailing the terminal countdown leading to liftoff at T-0. Distinctive moments include the ignition of the main engines at T-minus 6.8 seconds, liftoff of Challenger, and solid rocket booster separation. The countdown featured a 10-minute hold at T-minus 9 minutes due to standby computer checks, and Commander Paul Weitz confirmed liftoff with the call, 'Challenger's underway.'

This press conference features Commander Paul Weitz and crew members discussing their readiness for flight and the primary mission objectives, particularly the deployment of the TDRS via the IUS. Notably, Weitz mentions the uncertainty surrounding a hydrogen leak and expresses confidence in the Challenger's performance, highlighting the vehicle's clean status compared to Columbia. The crew also addresses concerns about space motion sickness and the implications of medical privacy regarding astronaut health during missions.

This recording captures the launch coverage of STS-6, detailing the terminal countdown leading to liftoff at T-0. Distinctive moments include the successful ignition of the main engines at T-minus 6.8 seconds, liftoff of Challenger, and solid rocket booster separation. The countdown featured a 10-minute hold at T-minus 9 minutes due to a hydrogen leak issue, and the planned insertion altitude after ascent was noted as 153 miles for the TDRS satellite deployment.

This STS-6 status briefing occurs during the final preparations for the rendezvous with the satellite Pelopon Mora. Flight Director Larry Bourgeois details the completion of a phasing burn and an NSR burn, placing the orbiter in a 187 by 173 nautical mile orbit, 1700 nautical miles behind the target satellite. The briefing also addresses the successful resolution of a forward jet leak and the replacement of EVA light batteries with AAA cells, ensuring readiness for the upcoming EVA.

This STS-6 status briefing focuses on the Getaway Specials, featuring Mr. George Park from Park Seed Company, who discusses their experiment involving 46 species of seeds packaged for exposure to the shuttle cargo bay environment. Notably, this is the first experiment allowed access to the raw space environment of the shuttle cargo bay, aiming to determine how to ship seeds for potential growth in a permanently manned space station. The briefing also includes insights from Mr. Kamani Kawachi representing the Japanese Getaway Special.

This STS-6 status briefing focuses on in-cabin experiments, featuring Dr. Robert Snyder discussing the mono disperse latex reactor, which aims to produce larger polystyrene latex particles in microgravity. Notably, this is the third flight of the MLR, with objectives to overcome challenges faced in previous flights, including a DC converter failure on STS-4. Dr. Bernard Vonnegut also presents on the NOSIL experiment, highlighting the goal to capture more lightning events during this mission.

This STS-6 status briefing focuses on the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRSS) during the final preparations for its launch. Notably, Mr. Robert Aller discusses the TDRSS's operational capabilities, including its ability to support 26 users simultaneously and the planned launches of three satellites to enhance communication. The briefing also highlights the deployment sequence of the TDRS satellite, which includes a 30-minute process for solar array deployment and antenna unfurling.

This STS-6 status briefing focuses on preparations for an additional flight readiness firing (FRF) to investigate a hydrogen concentration issue detected during a previous FRF. Don Phillips outlines plans to increase pressure in the aft compartment and install additional hydrogen leak detectors, emphasizing the critical 20-second window post-ignition where flammability concerns peak. The briefing also discusses the optimistic timeline for the FRF around January 26th and the implications for launch preparations if hydrogen sources are identified.