Crewed spacecraftExpended
STS-43 flight stack
Mission-specific Space Shuttle flight stack
Vehicle and mission dossier
STS-43
STS-43 deployed TDRS-E, redesignated TDRS-5 in orbit, to strengthen NASA's geosynchronous tracking and data-relay network. Atlantis's crew also tested advanced communications equipment, conducted materials and life-science research, photographed Earth, and completed the first nine-day flight by that .
Flight profile
- Launch
- August 2, 1991
- Landing
- August 11, 1991
- Mission duration
- 8d 21h 21m
Places and recovery
Vehicle record
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Mission or test
- STS-43
- 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 Atlantis mission that deployed the TDRS-5 communications satellite.
Flight objectives
- Launch Atlantis and its crew safely into .
- Space Shuttle Atlantis mission that deployed the TDRS-5 communications satellite.
- Complete the mission's assigned payload, , research, deployment, servicing, or logistics work.
- Return Atlantis and the landing crew safely to Earth.
Flight timeline
- August 2, 1991LaunchAtlantis began a nine-day satellite and technology mission.
- Flight day 1TDRS-E deployedThe spacecraft and IUS departed the payload bay for geosynchronous transfer.
- On orbitCommunications testsThe crew exercised new voice, video, and data systems alongside research payloads.
- August 11, 1991Kennedy landingAtlantis completed its longest mission to that date in Florida.
