STS-28
From The Space Library
 | |
| Organization | Department of Defense (United States), NASA-Office of Space Flight (United States) |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Human Crew |
| Launch date | August 8, 1989 |
| Launch vehicle | Space Shuttle |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral, United States |
| COSPAR ID | 1989-061A |
| Experiments | Here |
| Alternate Names | 20164 |
| Additional Information | Here |
| Data Collection | Here |
| Payload Mass Up | Classified |
The oldest shuttle orbiter Columbia, having undergone extensive return-to-flight refurbishment, was launched on a DOD mission from Cape Canaveral. Columbia was the last of the orbiters to be retro-fitted with some 250 modifications, changes ranging from a crew escape system, improved wiring and thermal protection, to replacements for individual brackets, blankets and panels. Because of its age and flight history, the veteran spacecraft required more attention than its sister orbiters. Its first flight since January 1986 marked the successful completion of the fleet upgrade in the post-Challenger era. Ten seconds after launch, Columbia underwent a 140 deg. roll maneuver, targeting it for a 57 degree inclination. The STS 28 crew included Commander Brewster H. Shaw, Pilot Richard N. Richards and mission specialists David C Leestma, James C. Adamson and Mark N. Brown. Columbia touched down on Edwards AFB runway 17 after 5 days, 1 hr in space.
Mission patch:
