Crewed spacecraftExpended
STS-26 flight stack
Mission-specific Space Shuttle flight stack
Vehicle and mission dossier
STS-26
STS-26 returned the Space Shuttle to flight 32 months after the Challenger accident. Discovery flew with redesigned solid-rocket- field joints, crew pressure suits, an emergency bailout system, and extensive hardware and management changes; the crew deployed TDRS-C, later designated TDRS-3, and completed a conservative four-day test and communications mission.
Flight profile
- Launch
- September 29, 1988
- Landing
- October 3, 1988
- Mission duration
- 4 days, 1 hour, 11 seconds
- Orbits
- 64
- Inclination
- 28.45 degrees
Places and recovery
Vehicle record
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Discovery
- Mission or test
- STS-26
- Configuration
- , external tank, two , and three main engines
- Status
- Mission hardware disposition recorded by component
- Mission type
- Return to flight and TDRS deployment
- Crew and station travelers
- 5
Flight objectives
- Return the Space Shuttle fleet to flight after the Challenger accident.
- Deploy the TDRS-C tracking and data relay satellite with an Inertial Upper .
- Demonstrate redesigned and revised shuttle launch, ascent, crew-suit, and safety procedures.
- Conduct secondary experiments and systems checks during the first post-Challenger shuttle mission.
Flight timeline
- September 29, 1988Return-to-flight launchDiscovery lifted off with the first crewed United States orbital mission since Challenger.
- Flight day 1TDRS-C deployedThe relay satellite and Inertial Upper departed Discovery and reached the planned transfer trajectory.
- On orbitRequalified operationsThe crew checked redesigned systems, pressure suits, and updated flight procedures while conducting experiments.
- October 3, 1988LandingDiscovery completed the return-to-flight mission at Edwards Air Force Base.
