STS-30
Magellan begins the first Shuttle-launched planetary mission
STS-30 deployed Magellan and its Inertial Upper Stage toward Venus, marking the first planetary spacecraft launched from a Space Shuttle and the first United States planetary launch since 1978. Atlantis's crew also conducted lightning, fluids, and optical-calibration experiments and replaced a failed general-purpose computer with an onboard spare for the first time.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- May 4, 1989
- Landing
- May 8, 1989
- Mission duration
- 4d 00h 56m
Places and recovery
Mission record
- Vehicle
- STS-30 flight stack
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Mission type
- Satellite or observatory deployment and operations
- Crew and station travelers
- 5
- Program
- Space Shuttle
- Crew complement
- 5
- Outcome
- Completed
- Archive classification
- Human spaceflight
- Primary objective
- Space Shuttle Atlantis mission that deployed the Magellan spacecraft toward Venus.
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
5 assignments
David M. Walkerprime crewCommanderLaunched May 4, 1989Returned May 8, 19894d 00h 56mCommander aboard STS-30 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Mark Charles Leeprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched May 4, 1989Returned May 8, 19894d 00h 56mMission Specialist aboard STS-30 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Mary L. Cleaveprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched May 4, 1989Returned May 8, 19894d 00h 56mMission Specialist aboard STS-30 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Norman Earl Thagardprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched May 4, 1989Returned May 8, 19894d 00h 56mMission Specialist aboard STS-30 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Ronald J. Grabeprime crewPilotLaunched May 4, 1989Returned May 8, 19894d 00h 56mPilot aboard STS-30 flight stack.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
2 sources- Launch Atlantis and its crew safely into .
- Space Shuttle Atlantis mission that deployed the Magellan spacecraft toward Venus.
- Complete the mission's assigned payload, , research, deployment, servicing, or logistics work.
- Return Atlantis and the landing crew safely to Earth.
Planned Flight Plan
2 sources- Ascent
Atlantis launch
STS-30 was planned to launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard its mission-specific shuttle stack.
- On orbit
Primary mission operations
Space Shuttle Atlantis mission that deployed the Magellan spacecraft toward Venus.
- Entry and landing
return
Atlantis was scheduled to deorbit, reenter, and complete an unpowered runway landing.
- May 4, 1989
STS-30 launches
STS-30 flight stack departs Kennedy Space Center and enters the planned orbit.
Mission Timeline
2 sources- May 4, 1989
Launch
Atlantis lifted off near the end of Magellan's planetary launch window.
- Six hours after launch
Magellan deployed
The spacecraft and upper left Atlantis for a 15-month journey to Venus.
- On orbit
Computer replaced
The crew exchanged a failed general-purpose computer for a flight spare, a Shuttle first.
- May 8, 1989
Landing
Atlantis landed at Edwards after completing the four-day deployment mission.
Open operation record