 Atlantis deploying TDRS-E. | |
| Names | Space Transportation System-43 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | TDRS-E satellite deployment Technology |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1991-054A |
| SATCAT no. | 21638 |
| Mission duration | 8 days, 21 hours, 21 minutes, 25 seconds |
| Distance travelled | 5,955,217 km (3,700,400 mi) |
| Orbits completed | 142 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Space Shuttle Atlantis |
| Launch mass | 117,650 kg (259,370 lb) |
| Landing mass | 89,239 kg (196,738 lb) |
| Payload mass | 21,067 kg (46,445 lb) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 5 |
| Members | |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | August 2, 1991, 15:02:00 UTC (11:02 am EDT) |
| Launch site | Kennedy, LC-39A |
| Contractor | Rockwell International |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | August 11, 1991, 12:23:25 UTC (8:23:25 am EDT) |
| Landing site | Kennedy, SLF Runway 15 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 301 km (187 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 306 km (190 mi) |
| Inclination | 28.46° |
| Period | 90.60 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| |
 STS-43 mission patch  From left: Lucid, Adamson, Blaha, Low and Baker | |
STS-43, the ninth mission for Space Shuttle Atlantis, was a nine-day mission whose primary goal was launching the TDRS-E satellite (TDRS-5). The flight also tested an advanced heatpipe radiator for potential use on the then-future space station and conducted a variety of medical and materials science investigations.