STS-3

STS-3
NASA · Public domain · source
Name	STS-3
Mission type	Orbiter test flight
Operator	National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mission duration	8 days, 23 hours, 5 minutes, 8 seconds
Launch date	March 22, 1982
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39
Landing date	March 31, 1982
Landing site	Edwards Air Force Base
Orbit perigee	241 km
Orbit apogee	259 km
Crew	John W. Young; Robert L. Crippen
Spacecraft	Columbia (OV-102)

STS-3 STS-3 was the third orbital flight test of the Space Shuttle program, flown by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration using the orbiter Columbia. The mission, launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 in March 1982, evaluated systems and payload capability while conducting a suite of experiments sponsored by Air Force Systems Command, the United States Geological Survey, and other organizations. Commanded by John W. Young with pilot Robert L. Crippen, the flight demonstrated extended duration operations and approach procedures ahead of operational shuttle missions.

Mission overview

The objective of the mission was to continue orbital flight testing of Columbia's thermal protection system, flight control surfaces, and life support while performing scientific and engineering payload operations with partners including Air Force Systems Command, U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Defense, and university teams. Orbital parameters targeted a low-inclination, low-Earth orbit to facilitate experiments tied to atmospheric research, remote sensing, and materials testing. The flight extended evaluation of the Space Shuttle Main Engine performance, Solid Rocket Booster staging characteristics, and on-orbit maneuvering via the orbiter's reaction control system, while also rehearsing Kennedy Space Center-to-Edwards Air Force Base landing contingencies.

Crew

The two-man crew consisted of veteran astronaut John W. Young, who had previously flown on Gemini 3, Gemini 10, Apollo 10, Apollo 16, and the first Shuttle mission, and pilot Robert L. Crippen, who flew on STS-1 and STS-2. Both crew members were associated with the Johnson Space Center astronaut corps and worked closely with engineers from Rockwell International, Martin Marietta, and Lockheed Corporation during mission preparations. Mission support included flight controllers from Mission Control in Houston, Texas, recovery teams from Edwards Air Force Base, and launch crews from Kennedy Space Center.

Payload and experiments

Primary payloads included the Canadarm-related test articles and an array of scientific packages such as the Shuttle Imaging Radar testbeds, atmospheric sensors developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and academic consortia, and materials exposure experiments from NASA Ames Research Center and Langley Research Center. Additional payloads were supplied by Air Force Systems Command for remote sensing demonstration and by the Mississippi State University and University of Texas at El Paso research teams for microgravity and earth observations. The mission carried the OSTA-3-like remote sensing instruments, film cameras from Eastman Kodak Company contractors, and life-support monitoring hardware evaluated by personnel from Johnson Space Center. Payload integration involved coordination with industrial partners including TRW Inc., McDonnell Douglas, and General Electric.

Flight timeline

Launch occurred from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and followed the ascent profile validated on earlier Shuttle flights. After main engine cutoff and Solid Rocket Booster separation, Columbia achieved a low-Earth orbit where the crew began a multi-day program of experiments and thermal protection inspections in cooperation with engineers at Johnson Space Center and Marshall Space Flight Center. Throughout the mission, the crew executed remote-sensing passes coordinated with ground stations such as the Ground Network and data downlinks to White Sands Complex (NM). Reentry and approach procedures were rehearsed for landing at Edwards Air Force Base, with touchdown occurring after multiple deorbit and entry maneuvers monitored by Mission Control.

Mission challenges and anomalies

The flight experienced issues typical of early Shuttle tests, including thermal protection system tile behavior prompting inspections coordinated with teams at Langley Research Center and Ames Research Center. On-orbit contamination concerns required procedural changes involving cryogenic plumbing and Space Shuttle Main Engine preflight conditioning managed by Marshall Space Flight Center engineers. Communication drops during certain ground station handovers led to analysis by the Johnson Space Center flight dynamics staff and Dryden Flight Research Center support personnel. Landing site weather and runway conditions at Edwards Air Force Base necessitated contingency planning with the California Air National Guard and NASA recovery teams.

Legacy and significance

The mission validated extended-duration Shuttle operations, informed improvements to the orbiter's thermal protection practices spearheaded by Langley Research Center and Marshall Space Flight Center, and advanced coordination models between NASA and DoD users. Data from remote sensing and materials exposure experiments contributed to programs at U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA, and university remote sensing centers, influencing subsequent flights and commercial remote sensing ventures led by companies such as Earth Resources Technology Corporation. Operational lessons shaped procedures used on later missions involving the Hubble Space Telescope servicing strategy, on-orbit payload handling that involved the Canadarm for Canadian payloads, and collaboration frameworks with contractors like Rockwell International and McDonnell Douglas.

Category:Space Shuttle missions Category:1982 in spaceflight