STS-45

STS-45
source
Mission name	STS-45
Spacecraft	Atlantis
Launch pad	Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
Launch date	March 24, 1992
Landing date	April 2, 1992
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center

STS-45 was the 46th mission of the NASA Space Shuttle program and the sixth flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The mission was a joint project between NASA, ESA, DLR, CNES, and ASI. The crew conducted a variety of experiments on board, including those related to Earth science, astronomy, and materials science, in collaboration with University of California, Berkeley, MIT, and Caltech.

Mission Overview

The mission was launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A on March 24, 1992, and landed at Kennedy Space Center on April 2, 1992. The crew consisted of seven members, including Charles Bolden, Brian Duffy, Kathryn Sullivan, David Leestma, Michael Foale, Byron Lichtenberg, and Dirk Frimout, who was the first Belgian citizen to fly in space, supported by EAC and BELSPO. The mission was designed to study the Earth's atmosphere, oceanography, and climate change, in partnership with NOAA, NIST, and USGS.

Crew

The crew of the mission included Charles Bolden as the Commander, Brian Duffy as the Pilot, and five Mission Specialists: Kathryn Sullivan, David Leestma, Michael Foale, Byron Lichtenberg, and Dirk Frimout. The crew was supported by a team of scientists and engineers from NASA, ESA, DLR, CNES, and ASI, including experts from University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and Imperial College London.

Mission Objectives

The primary objectives of the mission were to conduct experiments using the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science (ATLAS-1), a Spacelab module, in collaboration with University of Colorado Boulder, University of Michigan, and Georgia Institute of Technology. The experiments were designed to study the Earth's atmosphere, oceanography, and climate change, with support from NSF, NIH, and DOE. The crew also conducted experiments on materials science and biology, in partnership with Harvard University, Stanford University, and UCLA.

Mission Timeline

The mission began on March 24, 1992, with the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. The crew conducted a series of experiments and operations over the next eight days, including the deployment of the ATLAS-1 module, supported by JPL and GSFC. The crew also performed two EVAs to test the Space Shuttle's RMS arm, with assistance from CSA and JAXA.

Spacecraft

The Space Shuttle Atlantis was used for the mission, which was equipped with the ATLAS-1 module, a Spacelab module, provided by ESA and NASA. The spacecraft was launched from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A and landed at Kennedy Space Center, with support from USAF and FAA. The Space Shuttle's OMS engines were used to propel the spacecraft into orbit, and the RCS thrusters were used for attitude control, developed by Rockwell International and McDonnell Douglas.

Mission Results

The mission was successful, with the crew completing all of the planned experiments and operations, in collaboration with University of Chicago, Columbia University, and University of Texas at Austin. The data collected during the mission provided valuable insights into the Earth's atmosphere, oceanography, and climate change, and contributed to the development of new Earth science and astronomy research, supported by NAS and AAAS. The mission also demonstrated the capabilities of the Space Shuttle and the ATLAS-1 module, and paved the way for future Space Shuttle missions, including STS-50 and STS-55, with involvement from Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman. Category:Space Shuttle missions