Mar 13 1989
From The Space Library
March 13-19: The Space Shuttle Discovery was successfully launched from the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) on mission STS-29, the main objective to deploy the final Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-4). Discovery carried a crew of five on a 5-day mission. Six hours into the mission, the 2.5 ton $100 million TDRS-4 was successfully deployed into low-Earth orbit where it subsequently boosted itself into a 22,300 mile geosynchronous orbit. Discovery also carried biological experiments that to conduct studies of the embryonic development of chickens and bone healing in rats in a microgravity environment. The STS-28 crew would also photograph and film environmentally damaged areas throughout the world for later scientific analysis. Discovery's launch had been delayed a month because of cracks found in the main engine turbopumps. Replacement occurred on the launch pad. During the mission, a hydrogen tank supplying the Shuttle's fuel cells was temporarily shut down because of erratic pressure readings. The problem, which caused a temporary electricity shortage aboard the Shuttle, was resolved the following day, allowing Discovery to stay in orbit for five days as planned. Discovery successfully landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on March 19. (NASA MOR/Flight Operation Report, M-989-88-29; SSR 1989 021A; AP, Mar 13-19/89; UPI, Mar 13-19/89; NY Times, Mar 14-20/89; WSJ, Mar 14-20/89; W Post, Mar 14-20/89; W Times, Mar 14-20/89; USA Today, Mar 14-20/89; P Inq, Mar 14-20/89; B Sun, Mar 14-20/89)
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