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Lockheed Space Operations CompanySpace ShuttleLaunch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
STS-61
Launched
December 2, 1993
Summary
STS-61 launched on a Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle from Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on December 2, 1993. It was Lockheed Space Operations Company's 50th launch, 7th this year and humanity's 3,864th orbital launch attempt. It was the 59th Space Shuttle flight and the 7th this year. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO). 7 crew members flew: Claude Nicollier, Jeffrey Hoffman, Story Musgrave, Richard O. Covey, Kathryn C. Thornton, Ken Bowersox and Thomas Akers. The spacecraft was Space Shuttle Endeavour (OV-105). One object from this launch is catalogued.
- Watch
- STS-61A launch & landing (10-30-85)3210andLiftoff
- Vehicle
- Space Shuttle · Lockheed Space Operations CompanySpace Shuttle
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Astrophysics · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 59th Space Shuttle flight · 7th this yearLockheed Space Operations Company's 50th launch7th this yearhumanity's 3,864th orbital launch attempt79th orbital launch attempt this year
Crew
Claude NicollierMission Specialist · ESA · age 49 · 2nd flight
Jeffrey HoffmanMission Specialist · NASA · age 49 · 4th flight
Story MusgraveMission Specialist · NASA · age 58 · 5th flight
Richard O. CoveyCommander · NASA · age 47 · 4th flight
Kathryn C. ThorntonMission Specialist · NASA · age 41 · 3rd flight
Ken BowersoxPilot · NASA · age 37 · 2nd flight
Thomas AkersMission Specialist · NASA · age 42 · 3rd 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: 10 days
- Docked December 4, 1993 at Hubble Space Telescope
Space Shuttle Endeavour successfully landed at the Shuttle Landing Facility after this mission.
Flight preview
Catalogued objects
1 catalogued: 1 payload; none still in orbit
- Endeavour (STS-61) · NORAD 22917 · landed December 13, 1993
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
STS-61 was the first Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, and the fifth flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The mission launched on 2 December 1993 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission restored the spaceborne observatory's vision, marred by spherical aberration, with the installation of a new main camera and a corrective optics package. This correction occurred more than three and a half years after the Hubble was launched aboard STS-31 in April 1990. The flight also brought instrument upgrades and new solar arrays to the telescope.
Pad
Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
27th launch from Launch Complex 39B, 6th this year · 76th from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
59 launches from this pad · 283 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
44 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did STS-61 launch?
STS-61 launched on December 2, 1993. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Where can I watch STS-61?
Coverage: STS-61A launch & landing (10-30-85). Watch the replay
What rocket launched STS-61?
Space Shuttle, flown by Lockheed Space Operations Company. Space Shuttle spec sheet
Where did STS-61 launch from?
Launch Complex 39B, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit was STS-61 going to?
Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a astrophysics mission.
Which program is STS-61 part of?
Space Shuttle. About Space Shuttle