STS-8: The First Night Launch and Guion Bluford's Flight

JSC - STS-8 Onboard: Magazines 90 and 91

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JSC - STS-7 and STS-8: Optical Effects: Magazine68 (2x1) Magazines 68 and 72 (1x1) Launch (1x6 and 1x4)

KSC - STS-8 Launch: Various Engine Cameras

KSC - STS-8 Rollout to Pad 39A

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This press conference features Commander Richard Truly introducing the STS-8 crew, including Colonel Guy Bluford, the first African American in space. Bluford discusses the significance of his role and expresses excitement about flying in the shuttle, while Truly highlights the mission's night launch and landing, along with the deployment of the INSAT-1B satellite. The crew also addresses the operational use of the shuttle and the importance of representation in NASA's astronaut program.

Launch coverage for STS-8, T-minus 2 hours to liftoff, highlights the crew's departure from the Operations and Checkout building, led by Dale Gardner. The countdown included a weather update indicating potential lightning for the next 50 minutes. Key ascent milestones mentioned are roll program, solid rocket booster separation, and main engine cutoff, with confirmation of nominal first stage performance.

This recording captures the final status briefing before entry for the mission, highlighting a fail to sync anomaly in the GPCs that occurred during the shift handover, taking approximately 45 minutes to resolve. The briefing also details the decision to assign GPC1 to string four for entry due to this issue, as well as successful completion of a wastewater tank dump and TDRS side lobe tests. Additionally, the deorbit burn is scheduled for 2 minutes and 36 seconds, with entry interface at 6 days, 0 hours, 38 minutes and 13 seconds.

Launch coverage for STS-8, T-minus 9 minutes to liftoff, includes the first nighttime launch and landing. The countdown features a modification to rotate the RSS back for safety due to inclement weather, with a planned launch at 12:55. Key ascent milestones mentioned are solid rocket booster separation and main engine cutoff, with a focus on weather conditions and their impact on launch readiness.

This press conference features Commander Richard Truly and Colonel Guy Bluford discussing the significance of Bluford's role as the first African American in space. Bluford emphasizes the importance of representation and expresses optimism for future black astronauts. The crew also addresses the successful deployment of the INSAT-1B satellite and the upcoming first night landing, with Truly noting their confidence in the night landing systems. Additionally, Dr. Thornton provides insights on space sickness symptoms observed during the mission.

This recording captures the final execute shift prior to entry for the mission, detailing a fail to sync anomaly in the GPCs that occurred during the shift handover, which took about 45 minutes to resolve. The crew also conducted a wastewater tank dump to assess heater performance and completed a TDRS side lobe test with 100% acquisition success. Additionally, Dr. Bell reported that the rats in the animal enclosure module were adapting well to microgravity.