STS-41-D
Discovery's maiden flight and three-satellite deployment mission
STS-41-D introduced Space Shuttle Discovery. The six-person crew deployed SBS-D, Telstar 3C, and Leasat 2, operated the large OAST-1 extendable solar-array experiment, and carried Charles Walker as the first commercially sponsored .
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- August 30, 1984
- Landing
- September 5, 1984
- Mission duration
- 6d 00h 57m
Places and recovery
Mission record
- Vehicle
- STS-41-D flight stack
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Discovery
- Mission type
- Satellite or observatory deployment and operations
- Crew and station travelers
- 6
- Program
- Space Shuttle
- Crew complement
- 6
- Outcome
- Completed
- Archive classification
- Human spaceflight
- Primary objective
- First flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, carrying commercial communications satellites and the OAST-1 solar array experiment.
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
6 assignments
Charles D. Walkerprime crewPayload SpecialistLaunched August 30, 1984Returned September 5, 19846d 00h 57mPayload Specialist aboard STS-41-D flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Henry W. Hartsfield Jr.prime crewCommanderLaunched August 30, 1984Returned September 5, 19846d 00h 57mCommander aboard STS-41-D flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Judith A. Resnikprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched August 30, 1984Returned September 5, 19846d 00h 57mMission Specialist aboard STS-41-D flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Michael L. Coatsprime crewPilotLaunched August 30, 1984Returned September 5, 19846d 00h 57mPilot aboard STS-41-D flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Richard M. Mullaneprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched August 30, 1984Returned September 5, 19846d 00h 57mMission Specialist aboard STS-41-D flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Steven A. Hawleyprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched August 30, 1984Returned September 5, 19846d 00h 57mMission Specialist aboard STS-41-D flight stack.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
3 sources- Launch Discovery and its crew safely into .
- First flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, carrying commercial communications satellites and the OAST-1 solar array experiment.
- Complete the mission's assigned payload, , research, deployment, servicing, or logistics work.
- Return Discovery and the landing crew safely to Earth.
Planned Flight Plan
3 sources- Ascent
Discovery launch
STS-41-D was planned to launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard its mission-specific shuttle stack.
- On orbit
Primary mission operations
First flight of Space Shuttle Discovery, carrying commercial communications satellites and the OAST-1 solar array experiment.
- Entry and landing
return
Discovery was scheduled to deorbit, reenter, and complete an unpowered runway landing.
- August 30, 1984
STS-41-D launches
STS-41-D flight stack departs Kennedy Space Center and enters the planned orbit.
Mission Timeline
3 sources- August 30, 1984
Discovery launches
NASA's third spaceworthy Shuttle began its first mission.
- Early mission
Three satellites deployed
SBS-D, Telstar 3C, and Leasat 2 left Discovery's payload bay.
- Mission operations
OAST-1 extended
The crew tested a large lightweight solar-array structure in orbit.
- September 5, 1984
Landing
Discovery completed its maiden flight at Edwards Air Force Base.
Open operation record