STS-95

STS-95
Mission name	STS-95

STS-95 was a historic mission that took place from October 29 to November 7, 1998, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B. The mission was a collaborative effort between NASA, European Space Agency, Canadian Space Agency, and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, with the primary objective of conducting a variety of scientific experiments, including those related to aging and spaceflight, with John Glenn, a veteran of Project Mercury, on board. The mission was also notable for the participation of Pedro Duque, the first Spanish astronaut, and Chiaki Mukai, a Japanese astronaut who had previously flown on STS-65. The crew's activities were closely monitored by Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center.

Mission Overview

The mission was the 25th flight of the Space Shuttle Discovery and the 92nd flight of the Space Shuttle program. The crew spent nine days in space, conducting a total of 80 experiments, including those related to materials science, astrophysics, and biotechnology, in collaboration with Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and University of California, Berkeley. The mission also included the deployment of the SPARTAN satellite, a NASA-developed satellite designed to study the Sun's corona, and the Hubble Space Telescope's Servicing Mission 3A, which was scheduled to take place in 1999. The crew's activities were supported by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Goddard Space Flight Center.

Crew

The crew of STS-95 consisted of seven members, including John Glenn, who became the oldest person to fly in space at the age of 77, and Pedro Duque, who became the first Spanish astronaut to fly on a Space Shuttle mission. The crew also included Chiaki Mukai, a Japanese astronaut who had previously flown on STS-65, and Scott Parazynski, a NASA astronaut who had previously flown on STS-66 and STS-86. The crew was commanded by Curtis Brown, a veteran of STS-47 and STS-66, and included Steven Lindsey, a NASA astronaut who had previously flown on STS-87, and Stephen Robinson, a NASA astronaut who had previously flown on STS-85. The crew's training was conducted at Johnson Space Center and European Astronaut Centre.

Mission Objectives

The primary objective of the mission was to conduct a variety of scientific experiments, including those related to aging and spaceflight, with John Glenn on board. The mission also aimed to deploy the SPARTAN satellite and conduct a series of experiments related to materials science, astrophysics, and biotechnology, in collaboration with University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and California Institute of Technology. The crew also conducted a series of experiments related to plant growth and animal development in space, in collaboration with University of California, Los Angeles and University of Texas at Austin. The mission's objectives were supported by NASA's Ames Research Center and Langley Research Center.

Spacecraft and Payload

The Space Shuttle Discovery was used for the mission, which carried a payload of over 4,000 pounds, including the SPARTAN satellite and a variety of scientific experiments, such as the SPACEHAB module, developed by SPACEHAB Inc., and the OARE experiment, developed by University of Colorado Boulder. The spacecraft was equipped with a range of instruments, including the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment (SAREX), developed by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and the Getaway Special (GAS) experiment, developed by NASA's Johnson Space Center. The payload was supported by NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center and Stennis Space Center.

Mission Timeline

The mission began on October 29, 1998, with the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39B. The crew spent the first few days in space conducting a series of experiments and deploying the SPARTAN satellite, which was designed to study the Sun's corona. The crew also conducted a series of spacewalks, including one by Scott Parazynski and Stephen Robinson, to test the SAFER system, developed by NASA's Johnson Space Center. The mission ended on November 7, 1998, with the landing of the Space Shuttle Discovery at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility.

Legacy and Impact

The mission was a significant success, with the crew conducting a total of 80 experiments and deploying the SPARTAN satellite. The mission also marked a major milestone in the Space Shuttle program, with John Glenn becoming the oldest person to fly in space. The mission's findings have contributed significantly to our understanding of aging and spaceflight, and have paved the way for future missions, including STS-107 and STS-114. The mission's legacy is continued by NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2024, and European Space Agency's Ariane 6 program, which aims to develop a new heavy-lift launch vehicle. The mission's impact is also recognized by International Space University and Space Telescope Science Institute.

Category:Space Shuttle missions