STS-51-J
Atlantis's maiden flight and the second dedicated Department of Defense mission
STS-51-J introduced Space Shuttle Atlantis on the program's second mission dedicated to the Department of Defense. The five-person crew deployed two Defense Satellite Communications System III spacecraft using an Inertial Upper Stage; most operational details remained classified, while the flight qualified Atlantis for future civil and defense missions.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- October 3, 1985
- Landing
- October 7, 1985
- Mission duration
- 4d 01h 44m
Places and recovery
Mission record
- Vehicle
- STS-51-J flight stack
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Mission type
- Department of Defense mission
- Crew and station travelers
- 5
- Program
- Space Shuttle
- Crew complement
- 5
- Outcome
- Completed
- Archive classification
- Human spaceflight
- Primary objective
- First flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis and a classified Department of Defense mission.
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
5 assignments
David Carl Hilmersprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched October 3, 1985Returned October 7, 19854d 01h 44mMission Specialist aboard STS-51-J flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Karol Bobkoprime crewCommanderLaunched October 3, 1985Returned October 7, 19854d 01h 44mCommander aboard STS-51-J flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Robert Stewartprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched October 3, 1985Returned October 7, 19854d 01h 44mMission Specialist aboard STS-51-J flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Ronald J. Grabeprime crewPilotLaunched October 3, 1985Returned October 7, 19854d 01h 44mPilot aboard STS-51-J flight stack.Open astronaut archive
William A. Pailesprime crewPayload SpecialistLaunched October 3, 1985Returned October 7, 19854d 01h 44mPayload Specialist aboard STS-51-J flight stack.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
2 sources- Launch Atlantis and its crew safely into .
- First flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis and a classified Department of Defense mission.
- 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-51-J was planned to launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard its mission-specific shuttle stack.
- On orbit
Primary mission operations
First flight of Space Shuttle Atlantis and a classified Department of Defense mission.
- Entry and landing
return
Atlantis was scheduled to deorbit, reenter, and complete an unpowered runway landing.
- October 3, 1985
STS-51-J launches
STS-51-J flight stack departs Kennedy Space Center and enters the planned orbit.
Mission Timeline
2 sources- October 3, 1985
Atlantis launches
The fourth spaceworthy Shuttle began its first mission.
- On orbit
Defense payload deployed
The crew released a dual-spacecraft DSCS III payload with an Inertial Upper Stage.
- Mission operations
Classified objectives
Most detailed activities and payload operations were not publicly disclosed.
- October 7, 1985
Landing
Atlantis completed its maiden flight at Edwards Air Force Base.
Open operation record