View source for STS-6

{{Short description|1983 American crewed spaceflight and maiden flight of Space Shuttle Challenger}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox spaceflight
| name               = STS-6
| names_list         = [[Space Transportation System]]-6
| image              = Space Shuttle Challenger (04-04-1983).JPEG
| image_caption      = Maiden launch of ''Challenger'', April 4, 1983
| mission_type       = [[TDRS-1]] satellite deployment
| operator           = [[NASA]]
| mission_duration   = {{time interval|April 4, 1983, 18:30:00|April 9, 1983, 18:53:42|show=dhms|sep=,}}
| distance_travelled = {{cvt|3370437|km}}
| orbits_completed   = 81
| spacecraft         = {{OV|099}}
| launch_mass        = {{cvt|116457|kg}}
| landing_mass       = {{cvt|86330|kg}}
| payload_mass       = {{cvt|21305|kg}}
| crew_size          = 4
| crew_members       = {{Unbulleted list|[[Paul J. Weitz]]|[[Karol J. Bobko]]|[[Story Musgrave]]|[[Donald H. Peterson]]}}
| launch_date        = {{Start date|April 4, 1983, 18:30:00|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (1:30{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Standard Time|EST]])
| launch_site        = [[Kennedy Space Center|Kennedy]], [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]]
| launch_contractor  = [[Rockwell International]]
| crew_EVAs          = 1
| crew_EVA_duration  = 4{{nbsp}}hours, 17{{nbsp}}minutes
| landing_date       = {{End date|April 9, 1983, 18:53:42|timezone=yes}}{{nbsp}}UTC (10:53:42{{nbsp}}am{{nbsp}}[[Pacific Standard Time|PST]])
| landing_site       = [[Edwards Air Force Base|Edwards]], Runway{{nbsp}}22
| orbit_reference    = [[Geocentric orbit]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/satcat.txt|title=SATCAT|publisher=Jonathan's Space Report|date=January 6, 2022|access-date=January 11, 2022}}</ref>
| orbit_regime       = [[Low Earth orbit]]
| orbit_periapsis    = {{cvt|288|km}}
| orbit_apoapsis     = {{cvt|295|km}}
| orbit_inclination  = 28.50°
| orbit_period       = 90.40 minutes
| apsis              = gee
| instruments        = 
| insignia           = Sts-6-patch.png
| insignia_caption   = STS-6 mission patch
| crew_photo         = Sts-6-crew.jpg
| crew_photo_caption = From left: [[Donald H. Peterson|Peterson]], [[Paul J. Weitz|Weitz]], [[Story Musgrave|Musgrave]] and [[Karol J. Bobko|Bobko]]
| programme          = [[Space Shuttle program]]
| previous_mission   = [[STS-5]]
| next_mission       = [[STS-7]]
}}

'''STS-6''' was the sixth [[NASA]] [[Space Shuttle]] mission and the maiden flight of the {{OV|99}}. Launched from [[Kennedy Space Center]] on April 4, 1983, the mission deployed the first [[Tracking and Data Relay Satellite]], [[TDRS-1]], into orbit, before landing at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] on April 9, 1983. STS-6 was the first Space Shuttle mission during which a [[Extravehicular activity]] was conducted, and hence was the first in which the [[Extravehicular Mobility Unit]] (EMU) was used.

== Crew ==
{{Spaceflight crew
| terminology = Astronaut

| position1   = Commander
| crew1_up    = [[Paul J. Weitz]]
| flights1_up = Second and last

| position2   = Pilot
| crew2_up    = [[Karol J. Bobko]]
| flights2_up = First

| position3   = Mission Specialist 1
| crew3_up    = [[Story Musgrave|F. Story Musgrave]]
| flights3_up = First

| position4   = Mission Specialist 2<br>Flight Engineer
| crew4_up    = [[Donald H. Peterson]]
| flights4_up = Only
}}

STS-6 was the last shuttle mission with a four-person crew until [[STS-135]], the final shuttle mission, which launched on July 8, 2011. Commander Paul Weitz had previously served as Pilot on the [[Skylab 2 |first Skylab crewed mission]] (Skylab-2), where he lived and worked in Skylab for nearly a month from May to June 1973. After Skylab, Weitz became the [[Chief of the Astronaut Office|Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office]] under Chief Astronaut [[John Young (astronaut)|John Young]]. Bobko originally became an astronaut for the [[United States Air Force|Air Force's]] [[Manned Orbiting Laboratory]] (MOL) program but later joined NASA in 1969 after the MOL program's cancellation. Prior to STS-6 he participated in the [[Skylab Medical Experiment Altitude Test]] (SMEAT) and worked as a member of the support crew for the [[Apollo–Soyuz|Apollo-Soyuz Test Project]] (ASTP).

Peterson was also a transfer from the MOL program, and was a member of the support crew for [[Apollo 16]]. Musgrave joined NASA in 1967 as part of the [[NASA Astronaut Group 6|second scientist-astronaut group]], and was the backup Science Pilot for the first Skylab mission. He also participated in the design of the equipment that he and Peterson used during their EVA on the STS-6 mission.

=== Support crew ===
* [[Roy D. Bridges Jr.]] (entry CAPCOM)
* [[Mary L. Cleave]]
* [[Richard O. Covey]] (ascent CAPCOM)
* [[Guy Gardner (astronaut)|Guy Gardner]]
* [[Jon McBride]]
* [[Bryan D. O'Connor]]

=== Spacewalk ===
* '''Personnel''': Musgrave and Peterson
* '''Date''': April 7–8, 1983 (21:03–01:20 UTC)
* '''Duration''': 4{{nbsp}}hours, 17{{nbsp}}minutes

=== Crew seat assignments ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
! Seat<ref>{{cite web|title=STS-6|url=http://spacefacts.de/mission/english/sts-6.htm|publisher=Spacefacts|access-date=February 26, 2014}}</ref>
! Launch
! Landing
|rowspan=8| [[File:Space Shuttle seating plan.svg|150px]]<br />Seats 1–4 are on the flight deck.<br />Seats 5–7 are on the mid-deck.
|-
! 1
|colspan=2| Weitz
|-
! 2
|colspan=2| Bobko
|-
! 3
|colspan=2| Musgrave
|-
! 4
|colspan=2| Peterson
|-
! 5
|colspan=2 style="background-color:lightgray"| ''Unused''
|-
! 6
|colspan=2 style="background-color:lightgray"| ''Unused''
|-
! 7
|colspan=2 style="background-color:lightgray"| ''Unused''
|}

== Mission background ==
The new orbiter was rolled out to [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|LC-39A]] in December 8, 1982. On December 18, 1982, ''Challenger'' was given a PFRF (Pre Flight Readiness Firing) to verify the operation of the main engines. The PFRF lasted for 16{{nbsp}}seconds. Although engine operation was generally satisfactory, telemetry data indicated significant leakage of [[liquid hydrogen]] in the thrust section. However, it was not possible to determine the location of the leak with certainty, so program directors decided on a second PFRF with added telemetry probes. It was known that during the test run on December 18, 1982, that recirculated exhaust gases and vibration leaked into the thrust section and this was considered a potential cause of the leak. Therefore, the original planned launch in late January 1983 had to be postponed.

On January 25, 1983, a second PFRF was conducted which lasted 23 seconds and exhibited more hydrogen leaks. Eventually, it was found that low pressure ducting in the No. 1 engine was cracked. The engine was replaced by a spare, which was found to also have leaks. A third engine had to be ordered from [[Rocketdyne]], and after thorough testing, turned out to be in proper operating condition. The No. 2 and No. 3 engines turned out to have leaks as well, and were taken out of the orbiter for repairs. By mid-March, the engine problems had been completely resolved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.americaspace.com/?p=33504 |title=30 Years Since STS-6: The Rise of the Challenger (Part 1)|date=April 6, 2013}}</ref>

While the engine repairs were underway on February 28, 1983, a severe storm caused contamination of the mission's primary cargo, the first [[U.S. tracking and data relay satellite|Tracking and Data Relay Satellite-A]] ([[TDRS-1]]), while it was in the [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39|Payload Changeout Room]] on the [[Service structure|Rotating Service Structure]] at the launch pad. Consequently, the satellite had to be taken back to its checkout facility, where it was cleaned and rechecked. The Payload Changeout Room and the payload bay also had to be cleaned. All of these events pushed the launch back from March 26, 1983, to early April 1983.<ref>{{cite book|last=Evans|first=Ben|title=Space Shuttle Challenger: Ten Journeys into the Unknown|year=2007|publisher=Praxis Publishing|isbn=978-0-387-46355-1|page=26}}</ref>

== Mission summary ==
On April 4, 1983, STS-6, the first mission of the orbiter ''Challenger'', lifted off from [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A|Launch Complex 39A]] at the [[Kennedy Space Center]] at 18:30:00{{nbsp}}[[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]] (1:30{{nbsp}}pm{{nbsp}}[[Eastern Standard Time|EST]], local time at the launch site). It marked the first use of a new lightweight [[Space Shuttle External Tank|external tank]] and lightweight [[Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Booster]] (SRB) casings, first use of the [[head-up display]], and first [[extravehicular activity]] (EVA) in the [[Space Shuttle program]].<ref name=missionsummary/>

{{LaunchAttempt
| date1           = January 20, 1983, 13:30:00
| result1         = Postponed
| reason1         = Technical
| decision_date1  =
| decision_clock1 =
| weathergo1      =
| notes1          = [[Liquid hydrogen]] leak in aft compartment from engine 2011 (SSME #1) during FRF 1. Post-FRF 2 found crack in MCC of 2011. 2015 and 2012 had cracked ASI fuel lines. Replaced ASI lines in all three engines.<ref name=missionsummary>{{cite web|title=Space Shuttle Mission Summary|date=February 11, 2015 |url=https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/reference/TM-2011-216142.pdf|publisher=NASA Johnson Space Center}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

| date2           = April 4, 1983, 13:30:00
| result2         = Success
| reason2         =
| decision_date2  =
| decision_clock2 =
| weathergo2      =
| notes2          =
}}

STS-6 carried a crew of four – Commander Paul J. Weitz, Pilot Karol J. Bobko, Mission Specialist F. Story Musgrave and Mission Specialist Donald H. Peterson. Using new [[spacesuit]]s designed specifically for the Space Shuttle program, Musgrave and Peterson successfully accomplished the program's first [[extravehicular activity]] (EVA) on April 7–8, 1983, performing various tests in the orbiter's payload bay. Their spacewalk lasted 4{{nbsp}}hours and 17{{nbsp}}minutes and was the first American EVA since the last of [[Skylab 4]]'s four EVAs nearly a decade prior.

Although the {{cvt|2300|kg}} TDRS-A satellite was successfully deployed from ''Challenger'', its two-stage booster rocket, the [[Inertial Upper Stage]] (IUS), tumbled out of control, placing the satellite into a low [[elliptical orbit]]. However, the satellite contained extra propellant beyond what was needed for its [[Spacecraft attitude control|attitude control]] thrusters, and during the next several months, its thrusters were fired at carefully planned intervals, gradually moving TDRS-1 into its [[geosynchronous orbit|geosynchronous]] operating orbit, thus saving the US$100-million satellite. Other STS-6 payloads included three [[Getaway Special]] (GAS) canisters and the continuation of the Mono-disperse Latex Reactor and Continuous Flow Electrophoresis experiments.

''Challenger'' returned to Earth on April 9, 1983, coming to a stop on Runway{{nbsp}}22 at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] at 18:53:42{{nbsp}}UTC (10:53:42{{nbsp}}a.m.{{nbsp}}[[Pacific Standard Time|PST]], local time at the landing site). During the mission, it completed 81 orbits, traveling {{cvt|3200000|km}} in 5{{nbsp}}days, 23{{nbsp}}minutes, and 42{{nbsp}}seconds. It was flown back to KSC on April 16, 1983.

== Mission insignia ==
The six white stars in the upper blue field of the mission patch, and its hexagonal shape, indicate the flight's numerical designation in the [[Space Transportation System]]'s mission sequence.

== Wake-up calls ==
NASA began a tradition of playing music to astronauts during the [[Project Gemini]], and first used music to wake up a flight crew during [[Apollo 15]]. Each track is specially chosen, often by the astronauts' families, and usually has a special meaning to an individual member of the crew, or is applicable to their daily activities.<ref name="chronology">{{cite news|first=Colin|last=Fries|title=Chronology of Wakeup Calls|date=June 25, 2007|publisher=NASA|url=https://history.nasa.gov/wakeup%20calls.pdf|access-date=August 13, 2007|archive-date=December 20, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231220093919/https://history.nasa.gov/wakeup%20calls.pdf|url-status=dead}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Flight Day
! Song
! Artist/Composer
|-
| Day 2
| "Cadets on Parade"
| [[United States Air Force Academy Band|Air Force Academy Band]]
|-
| Day 3
| "Teach Me Tiger"
| [[April Stevens]]
|-
| Day 4
| "Theme from [[F Troop]]"
| [[William Lava]]
|-
| Day 5
| "The Poor Co-pilot"
| [[Oscar Brand]]
|-
| Day 6
| "Ode to the Lions"
| Rusty Gordon
|}

== Gallery ==
<gallery class="center">
Image:STS-6 TDRS-A deploy preparations.jpg|TDRS-A is deployed.
Image:STS-6 EVA.jpg|Musgrave during the EVA
Image:STS-6 Musgrave & Peterson Challenger Cargo Bay.jpg|Musgrave, left, and Peterson float in ''Challenger''{{'}}s payload bay during the EVA.
Image:Space_Shuttle_Challenger_lands_for_the_first_time,_completing_STS-6.jpg|''Challenger'' lands at [[Edwards Air Force Base]] on 9 April 1983.
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Spaceflight}}
* [[List of human spaceflights]]
* [[List of Space Shuttle missions]]
* [[Lists of spacewalks and moonwalks]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/shuttlemissions/archives/sts-6.html STS-6 mission summary]. NASA.
* [http://www.nss.org/resources/library/shuttlevideos/shuttle06.htm STS-6 video highlights] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715080258/http://www.nss.org/resources/library/shuttlevideos/shuttle06.htm |date=July 15, 2014 }}. NSS.

{{Space Shuttle Challenger}}
{{All U.S. Space Shuttle Missions}}
{{Orbital launches in 1983}}

[[Category:Space Shuttle missions]]
[[Category:Edwards Air Force Base]]
[[Category:1983 in spaceflight]]
[[Category:1983 in the United States]]
[[Category:1983 in science]]
[[Category:Spacecraft launched in 1983]]
[[Category:Spacecraft which reentered in 1983]]
[[Category:April 1983 events]]