STS-61C: The Last Mission Before Challenger

This recording captures the training session for STS-61C, focusing on the preparation of the crew, including first-time flyers Charles Bolden, Franklin Chang-Diaz, and Bill Nelson. Notably, the session discusses the collision avoidance timeline starting at 7:48 AM, which shortens the launch window, and the crew's scheduled entry into the orbiter's cockpit at 4:45 AM. The training emphasizes the complexity of the shuttle cockpit and the importance of familiarization with various systems and procedures.

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-61C, detailing the terminal countdown and the scrub of Columbia's launch attempt originally scheduled for 7:05 AM. The countdown window opened at 7:05 AM and closed at 9:01 AM, with a significant hold at T-minus 31 seconds due to a liquid oxygen fill and drain valve issue. Launch Director Gene Thomas announced the scrub after determining that weather conditions would not improve, marking the fourth attempt to launch this mission.

This recording captures the STS-61C status briefing, highlighting the decision to bring the crew back a day early due to operational needs and weather considerations. Flight Director Milt Heflin discusses the challenges faced with the MSL and CHAMP experiments, and the importance of returning hardware for future missions. Notably, a presidential phone call from Costa Rica's President Luis Alberto Monge Alvarez to Commander Robert Gibson and Dr. Franklin Chang-Diaz occurs at 11:34 AM, marking a significant moment in the mission.

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This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-61C, detailing the terminal countdown and liftoff of Columbia at 6:55 AM. The countdown window opened at 7:05 AM and closed at 9:33 AM, with a notable scrub called at T-minus 14 seconds due to weather concerns. Key ascent milestones include solid rocket booster separation at 2 minutes 6 seconds and main engine cutoff at 8 minutes 30 seconds, with Commander Robert Hoot Gibson and Pilot Charles Bolden leading the crew.

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-61C, detailing the terminal countdown and the liftoff of Columbia at 11:00 AM. The countdown window opened at 7:05 AM and closed at 9:33 AM, with a notable scrub called at T-minus 14 seconds due to deteriorating weather conditions. Key ascent milestones include solid rocket booster separation at 2 minutes 6 seconds and main engine cutoff at 8 minutes 30 seconds, with Commander Robert Hoot Gibson and Pilot Charles Bolden leading the crew.

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-61C, detailing the terminal countdown and liftoff of Columbia at 7:54 AM. The countdown window opened at 7:05 AM and closed at 8:10 AM, with a significant hold at T-minus 9 minutes due to weather conditions. Key ascent milestones include solid rocket booster separation and main engine cutoff, with Commander Robert Hoot Gibson and Pilot Charles Bolden leading the crew.

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-61C, detailing the terminal countdown and liftoff of Columbia at 6:55 AM. The countdown window opened at 6:55 AM and closed at 9:33 AM, with key ascent milestones including solid rocket booster separation at 2 minutes 6 seconds and main engine cutoff at 8 minutes 22 seconds. Notably, this launch featured first-time flights for Payload Specialist Robert Sinker and Pilot Charles Bolden.

This recording captures the on-orbit activities of STS-61C, highlighting the deployment of the SATCOM satellite at approximately 3:27 PM, followed by a successful PAM solid motor firing 45 minutes later. Crew members Steve Hawley and Pinky Nelson are prominently featured as they work on the CHAMP assembly and conduct various experiments, including troubleshooting the gas canisters. The file also includes live television downlink showcasing the cargo bay and the crew's interactions with Mission Control.

This recording features on-orbit activities of STS-61C, highlighting the live television downlink at approximately 9:36 AM, showcasing Franklin Chang Diaz conducting the handheld protein crystal growth experiment. The crew also discusses the paper fiber experiment led by Steve Hawley and Pinky Nelson, which aims to study fiber formation in microgravity. Additionally, a decision regarding a potential early landing is anticipated, with mission management reviewing impacts on ongoing experiments.

This recording captures the launch coverage for STS-61C, detailing the terminal countdown and liftoff of Columbia at 11:00 AM. The countdown window opened at 7:05 AM and closed at 9:33 AM, with a notable simulated RSLS abort called at T-minus 10 seconds. Key ascent milestones include main engine start at T-minus 6 seconds, solid rocket booster separation, and main engine cutoff, with notable participation from Congressman Bill Nelson, who is involved in medical experiments during the flight.

JSC (MS) - STS 61-C Crew Photo Session in Backup Building 8 Studio - Gibson, Bolden, Chang-Diaz, Hawley, Nelson, Cenker, and Congressman Bill Nelson

This recording captures on-orbit activities of STS-61C, focusing on troubleshooting the odorless tilt goggles, where crew member Pinky Nelson identifies a broken wire affecting the device's functionality. The crew also discusses the calibration of the CHAMP experiment, with Franklin Chang Diaz and Steve Hawley involved in preparations for its activation. Additionally, live television downlink showcases the material science laboratory and the deployment of the SATCOM satellite, with ongoing discussions about the status of various experiments.

Landing coverage of STS-61C at Edwards Air Force Base, with the crew touching down after a six-day mission. The landing occurred in pre-dawn darkness, marking only the third night landing for a shuttle. Crew members, including Commander Hoot Gibson and pilot Charles Bolden, expressed relief and satisfaction with the mission's success, despite weather-related delays that prevented a landing at Kennedy Space Center. Dan Brandenstein, a veteran astronaut, was present to greet the crew upon egress.

This crew debrief covers STS-61C's unique evolution from a planned seven-day mission to a six-day flight, with Commander Robert L. Gibson highlighting the deployment of the SATCOM KU satellite on flight day one. Notably, pilot Charlie Bolden experienced his first spaceflight, while the crew faced two alarms during ascent, both attributed to old sensors. The debrief also discusses the challenges of capturing images of Halley's Comet and the successful operation of the material science laboratory experiment.