Crewed spacecraftExpended
STS-51-J flight stack
Mission-specific Space Shuttle flight stack
Vehicle and mission dossier
STS-51-J
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 ; most operational details remained classified, while the flight qualified Atlantis for future civil and defense missions.
Flight profile
- Launch
- October 3, 1985
- Landing
- October 7, 1985
- Mission duration
- 4d 01h 44m
Places and recovery
Vehicle record
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Atlantis
- Mission or test
- STS-51-J
- Configuration
- , external tank, two , and three main engines
- Status
- Mission hardware disposition recorded by component
- 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.
Flight objectives
- 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.
Flight timeline
- October 3, 1985Atlantis launchesThe fourth spaceworthy Shuttle began its first mission.
- On orbitDefense payload deployedThe crew released a dual-spacecraft DSCS III payload with an Inertial Upper .
- Mission operationsClassified objectivesMost detailed activities and payload operations were not publicly disclosed.
- October 7, 1985LandingAtlantis completed its maiden flight at Edwards Air Force Base.
