Crewed spacecraftExpended
STS-29 flight stack
Mission-specific Space Shuttle flight stack
Vehicle and mission dossier
STS-29
STS-29 deployed TDRS-D, redesignated TDRS-4 in orbit, to expand NASA's geosynchronous tracking and communications network. Discovery's crew also operated protein-crystal, plant-cell, heat-pipe-radiator, student, Earth-imaging, and -instrumentation experiments during the nearly five-day mission.
Flight profile
- Launch
- March 13, 1989
- Landing
- March 18, 1989
- Mission duration
- 4d 23h 38m
Places and recovery
Vehicle record
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Discovery
- Mission or test
- STS-29
- Configuration
- Orbiter, external tank, two , and three main engines
- Status
- Mission hardware disposition recorded by component
- 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 the TDRS-4 communications satellite.
Flight objectives
- Launch Discovery and its crew safely into .
- Space Shuttle Discovery mission that deployed the TDRS-4 communications satellite.
- Complete the mission's assigned payload, , research, deployment, servicing, or logistics work.
- Return Discovery and the landing crew safely to Earth.
Flight timeline
- March 13, 1989LaunchDiscovery began the third mission after the Shuttle stand-down.
- Flight day 1TDRS-D deployedThe spacecraft and Inertial Upper left the payload bay for geosynchronous orbit.
- On orbitScience and technology workThe crew operated radiator, biological, student, imaging, and -instrument experiments.
- March 18, 1989LandingDiscovery landed at Edwards after 80 Earth orbits.
