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Lockheed Space Operations CompanySpace ShuttleLaunch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
STS-49
Launched
May 7, 1992
Summary
STS-49 launched on a Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle from Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on May 7, 1992. It was Lockheed Space Operations Company's 38th launch, 3rd this year and humanity's 3,715th orbital launch attempt. It was the 47th Space Shuttle flight and the 3rd this year. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO). It reached a 271 × 345 km orbit inclined 28.3°. 7 crew members flew: Richard Hieb, Daniel Brandenstein, Kathryn C. Thornton, Pierre J. Thuot, Kevin P. Chilton, Thomas Akers and Bruce E. Melnick. The spacecraft was Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105). One object from this launch is catalogued.
- Watch
- STS-49, Endeavour's first launch & landing (5-7-92)3210andLiftoff
- Vehicle
- Space Shuttle · Lockheed Space Operations CompanySpace Shuttle
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Communications · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 47th Space Shuttle flight · 3rd this yearLockheed Space Operations Company's 38th launch3rd this yearhumanity's 3,715th orbital launch attempt27th orbital launch attempt this year
Crew
Richard HiebMission Specialist · NASA · age 36 · 2nd flight
Daniel BrandensteinCommander · NASA · age 49 · 4th flight
Kathryn C. ThorntonMission Specialist · NASA · age 39 · 2nd flight
Pierre J. ThuotMission Specialist · NASA · age 36 · 2nd flight
Kevin P. ChiltonPilot · NASA · age 37 · first flight
Thomas AkersMission Specialist · NASA · age 40 · 2nd flight
Bruce E. MelnickMission Specialist · NASA · age 42 · 2nd flight
Spacecraft
Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105)
Space Shuttle Endeavour (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105) is a retired orbiter from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the fifth and final operational shuttle built. It embarked on its first mission, STS-49, in May 1992 and its 25th and final mission, STS-134, in May 2011. STS-134 was expected to be the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, but with the authorization of STS-135, Atlantis became the last shuttle to fly. The United States Congress approved the construction of Endeavour in 1987 to replace Challenger, which was lost in 1986. Structural spares built during the construction of Discovery and Atlantis were used in its assembly. NASA chose, on cost grounds, to build Endeavour from spares rather than refitting Enterprise.
- Destination: Low Earth Orbit
- Mission length: 8 days 23 hours
- Docked May 13, 1992 at Intelsat 603
Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully landed at Edwards Air Force Base after this mission.
Flight preview
Orbit: as tracked
Endeavour (STS-49) · NORAD 21963 · 1992-026 · Space-Track
Show the numbers for orbit elements
- Object
- TBA - TO BE ASSIGNED
- Object ID
- 1992-026A
- Epoch
- 1992-05-08 00:22:03 UTC
- Mean motion
- 15.9054596 rev/day
- Eccentricity
- 0.005513
- Inclination
- 28.3308°
- Ascending node
- 53.9839°
- Arg. of perigee
- 49.7812°
- Mean anomaly
- 185.998°
- Element set
- 999
- Rev at epoch
- 0
- B*
- 0.00025599
Perigee, apogee and period are Kepler figures from the catalogued mean elements, not a propagated state. Published orbit: LEO. Ascent drawn from padside's representative profile.
Catalogued objects
1 catalogued: 1 payload; none still in orbit
- Endeavour (STS-49) · NORAD 21963 · landed May 16, 1992
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
STS-49 was the maiden flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The primary goal of its nine-day mission was to retrieve an Intelsat VI satellite (Intelsat 603, which failed to leave low earth orbit two years before), attach it to a new upper stage, and relaunch it to its intended geosynchronous orbit. After several attempts, the capture was completed with a three-person extra-vehicular activity (EVA).
Pad
Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
19th launch from Launch Complex 39B, 1st this year · 64th from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
59 launches from this pad · 283 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
337 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did STS-49 launch?
STS-49 launched on May 7, 1992. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch STS-49?
Coverage: STS-49, Endeavour's first launch & landing (5-7-92). Watch the replay
What rocket launched STS-49?
Space Shuttle, flown by Lockheed Space Operations Company. Space Shuttle spec sheet
Where did STS-49 launch from?
Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit did STS-49 reach?
It reached a 271 × 345 km orbit inclined 28.3°.
Which program is STS-49 part of?
Space Shuttle. About Space Shuttle