STS-77

STS-77
NASA · Public domain · source
Mission name	STS-77
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch pad	Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B
Launch date	May 19, 1996
Landing date	May 29, 1996
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center

STS-77 was the 77th NASA Space Shuttle mission and the 11th flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The mission was a six-day flight, launching on May 19, 1996, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B and landing on May 29, 1996, at Kennedy Space Center. The crew of six included Commander John Casper, Pilot Curtis Brown, and Mission Specialists Andrew Thomas, Daniel Bursch, Mario Runco, and Marc Garneau from the Canadian Space Agency. The mission was part of the Space Shuttle program and was operated by NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.

Mission Overview

The STS-77 mission was designed to conduct a variety of scientific experiments and deploy several satellites, including the SPARTAN-207 and PANSAT satellites. The crew also performed a spacewalk, also known as an Extravehicular Activity (EVA), to test the Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue (SAFER). The mission was supported by the European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and the National Reconnaissance Office. The Space Shuttle Endeavour was equipped with the Remote Manipulator System (RMS), which was used to deploy and retrieve the SPARTAN-207 satellite. The mission was controlled from the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, with support from the European Astronaut Centre and the Canadian Space Agency's headquarters in Longueuil, Quebec.

Crew

The crew of STS-77 included Commander John Casper, a veteran of three previous Space Shuttle missions, including STS-36 and STS-54. The Pilot was Curtis Brown, who had previously flown on STS-47 and STS-66. The Mission Specialists included Andrew Thomas, who had previously flown on STS-77's sister mission, STS-73, Daniel Bursch, a veteran of STS-51 and STS-68, Mario Runco, who had previously flown on STS-44 and STS-54, and Marc Garneau, a Canadian Space Agency astronaut who had previously flown on STS-41G. The crew was supported by a team of NASA engineers and scientists from the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, including Christopher C. Kraft Jr. and George W.S. Abbey.

Mission Objectives

The primary objectives of the STS-77 mission were to deploy the SPARTAN-207 and PANSAT satellites, conduct a series of scientific experiments, and perform a spacewalk to test the Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue (SAFER). The crew also conducted experiments using the Middeck Glovebox and the Microgravity Science Laboratory. The mission was designed to advance our understanding of microgravity and its effects on various scientific experiments, including those related to materials science and biotechnology. The crew worked closely with scientists from the European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to conduct the experiments.

Spacecraft and Payload

The Space Shuttle Endeavour was the primary spacecraft used for the STS-77 mission. The payload included the SPARTAN-207 and PANSAT satellites, as well as several scientific experiments, including the Microgravity Science Laboratory and the Middeck Glovebox. The Remote Manipulator System (RMS), also known as the Canadarm, was used to deploy and retrieve the SPARTAN-207 satellite. The spacecraft was equipped with a variety of systems, including the Space Shuttle main engine and the Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS). The payload was integrated at the Kennedy Space Center's Payload Processing Facility and was supported by the European Space Agency's Guiana Space Centre.

Mission Timeline

The STS-77 mission launched on May 19, 1996, at 10:30 AM EDT from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B. The crew conducted a series of scientific experiments and deployed the SPARTAN-207 and PANSAT satellites on the first day of the mission. On the second day, the crew performed a spacewalk to test the Simplified Aid For EVA Rescue (SAFER). The crew continued to conduct experiments and operate the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) throughout the mission. The mission ended with a landing at Kennedy Space Center on May 29, 1996, at 11:09 AM EDT. The mission was supported by the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and the European Space Agency's European Astronaut Centre.

Landing and Post-Flight

The STS-77 mission landed safely at Kennedy Space Center on May 29, 1996, at 11:09 AM EDT. The crew was greeted by NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin and other dignitaries, including the Canadian Space Agency's President, William MacDonald Evans. The mission was deemed a success, with all primary objectives achieved. The crew underwent a series of post-flight debriefings and medical checks at the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. The Space Shuttle Endeavour was returned to the Orbiter Processing Facility for refurbishment and preparation for its next mission, STS-89. The mission's success was celebrated by the NASA community, including the European Space Agency and the Canadian Space Agency, and marked an important milestone in the Space Shuttle program. Category:Space Shuttle missions