STS-70
TDRS-7 deployment completes NASA's first-generation relay constellation
STS-70 deployed TDRS-G, renamed TDRS-7 after reaching orbit, with an Inertial Upper Stage. Discovery's crew also operated biological, materials, radiation, and technology experiments during the final Shuttle flight devoted primarily to deploying a first-generation Tracking and Data Relay Satellite.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- July 13, 1995
- Landing
- July 22, 1995
- Mission duration
- 8d 22h 20m
Places and recovery
Mission record
- Vehicle
- STS-70 flight stack
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Discovery
- 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 Discovery mission that deployed TDRS-G.
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
5 assignments
Donald A. Thomasprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched July 13, 1995Returned July 22, 19958d 22h 20mMission Specialist aboard STS-70 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Kevin Richard Kregelprime crewPilotLaunched July 13, 1995Returned July 22, 19958d 22h 20mPilot aboard STS-70 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Mary E. Weberprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched July 13, 1995Returned July 22, 19958d 22h 20mMission Specialist aboard STS-70 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Nancy J. Currie-Greggprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched July 13, 1995Returned July 22, 19958d 22h 20mMission Specialist aboard STS-70 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Terence Thomas Henricksprime crewCommanderLaunched July 13, 1995Returned July 22, 19958d 22h 20mCommander aboard STS-70 flight stack.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
2 sources- Launch Discovery and its crew safely into .
- Space Shuttle Discovery mission that deployed TDRS-G.
- Complete the mission's assigned payload, , research, deployment, servicing, or logistics work.
- Return Discovery and the landing crew safely to Earth.
Planned Flight Plan
2 sources- Ascent
Discovery launch
STS-70 was planned to launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard its mission-specific shuttle stack.
- On orbit
Primary mission operations
Space Shuttle Discovery mission that deployed TDRS-G.
- Entry and landing
return
Discovery was scheduled to deorbit, reenter, and complete an unpowered runway landing.
- July 13, 1995
STS-70 launches
STS-70 flight stack departs Kennedy Space Center and enters the planned orbit.
Mission Timeline
2 sources- July 13, 1995
Launch
Discovery launched six days after Atlantis returned from Mir.
- Six hours after launch
TDRS-G deployed
The spacecraft and IUS left the payload bay for geosynchronous transfer.
- Nine-day mission
Secondary research
The crew completed biological, materials, radiation, and technology investigations.
- July 22, 1995
Kennedy landing
Discovery returned after completing the communications mission.
Open operation record