STS-44
Missile-warning satellite deployment and defense technology research
STS-44 deployed a Defense Support Program missile-warning satellite and Inertial Upper Stage on the first flight day. Atlantis's six-person crew also operated contamination, radiation, optical, medical, visual-performance, bioreactor, and terrain-observation experiments during a nearly seven-day Department of Defense mission.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- November 24, 1991
- Landing
- December 1, 1991
- Mission duration
- 6d 22h 50m
Places and recovery
Mission record
- Vehicle
- STS-44 flight stack
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Mission type
- Department of Defense mission
- Crew and station travelers
- 6
- Program
- Space Shuttle
- Crew complement
- 6
- Outcome
- Completed
- Archive classification
- Human spaceflight
- Primary objective
- Department of Defense Space Shuttle mission flown by Atlantis.
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
6 assignments
Frederick D. Gregoryprime crewCommanderLaunched November 24, 1991Returned December 1, 19916d 22h 50mCommander aboard STS-44 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
James S. Vossprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched November 24, 1991Returned December 1, 19916d 22h 50mMission Specialist aboard STS-44 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Mario Runco Jr.prime crewMission SpecialistLaunched November 24, 1991Returned December 1, 19916d 22h 50mMission Specialist aboard STS-44 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Story Musgraveprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched November 24, 1991Returned December 1, 19916d 22h 50mMission Specialist aboard STS-44 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Terence Thomas Henricksprime crewPilotLaunched November 24, 1991Returned December 1, 19916d 22h 50mPilot aboard STS-44 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Thomas John Hennenprime crewPayload SpecialistLaunched November 24, 1991Returned December 1, 19916d 22h 50mPayload Specialist aboard STS-44 flight stack.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
2 sources- Launch Atlantis and its crew safely into .
- Department of Defense Space Shuttle mission flown by Atlantis.
- 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-44 was planned to launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard its mission-specific shuttle stack.
- On orbit
Primary mission operations
Department of Defense Space Shuttle mission flown by Atlantis.
- Entry and landing
return
Atlantis was scheduled to deorbit, reenter, and complete an unpowered runway landing.
- November 24, 1991
STS-44 launches
STS-44 flight stack departs Kennedy Space Center and enters the planned orbit.
Mission Timeline
2 sources- November 24, 1991
Night launch
Atlantis began a dedicated Department of Defense mission.
- Flight day 1
DSP deployed
The missile-warning satellite and IUS left the payload bay for geosynchronous transfer.
- Seven-day mission
Defense and medical research
The crew operated terrain, optical, contamination, radiation, and human-performance payloads.
- December 1, 1991
Landing
Atlantis landed at Edwards after extending the mission for payload work.
Open operation record