STS-3

**STS-3**
Organization	NASA-OfficeofSpaceScienceApplications(UnitedStates),NASA-Office of Space Flight (United States)
Mission type	Human Crew,Life Science,Solar Physics,Space Physics
Launch date	March 22, 1982
Launch vehicle	Space Shuttle
Launch site	Cape Canaveral, United States
COSPAR ID	1982-022A
Inclination	38 degrees
Experiments	Here
Alternate Names	OSS 1/STS 3,Shuttle OFT 3,13106
Additional Information	Here
Data Collection	Here
Payload Mass Up	10301.08 kg
Payload Mass Down	kg
Orbiter	Columbia
Lift Off Mass	2,031,252.27 kg
Orbiter Weight at Liftoff	107,006.82 kg
Orbiter Weight at Landing	94,123.64 kg
Landed	Runway 17 dry lake bed at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico
Orbits of Earth	129
Orbital Altitude	128 nautical miles (147 statute miles)

From The Space Library

Jump to: navigation, search

[edit] Crew

Commander: Jack Lousma
Pilot: Gordon Fullerton

[edit] Mission

The experiments selected to be part of the OSS-1/STS-3 payload had several objectives which included the following: (a) to conduct supplementary observations of the Orbiter's environment that have specific applicability to plasma physics and astronomical payloads; (b) to conduct scientific observations that demonstrate the Space Shuttle's research capabilities and are appropriate for flight on an early mission; and (c) to evaluate technology that may have application in future experiments in space. Three hours after liftoff, Columbia's payload bay doors were opened and the payload pallet was exposed to the space environment. Eight experiments were mounted on the U-shaped pallet, and the plant lignification experiment was mounted in the cabin area. The parameters measured by the payload included (1) plasma, waves, and fields; (2) polarization in solar X-ray bursts; (3) solar flux in the wavelength range 120-400 nanometers; (4) electrical charging properties of the Orbiter vehicle; (5) thermal properties of the canister experiment; (6) optical properties of the Shuttle-induced atmosphere; and (7) micrometeorite impacts. In addition, there were measurements of plant lignification in weightlessness, and of the induced contamination environment of the Orbiter bay.