STS-6

STS-6
Maiden launch of Challenger, April 4, 1983
NamesSpace Transportation System-6
Mission typeTDRS-1 satellite deployment
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1983-026A Edit this at Wikidata
SATCAT no.13968Edit this on Wikidata
Mission duration5 days, 23 minutes, 42 seconds
Distance travelled3,370,437 km (2,094,292 mi)
Orbits completed81
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSpace Shuttle Challenger
Launch mass116,457 kg (256,744 lb)
Landing mass86,330 kg (190,330 lb)
Payload mass21,305 kg (46,969 lb)
Crew
Crew size4
Members
EVAs1
EVA duration4 hours, 17 minutes
Start of mission
Launch dateApril 4, 1983, 18:30:00 (April 4, 1983, 18:30:00) UTC (1:30 pm EST)
Launch siteKennedy, LC-39A
ContractorRockwell International
End of mission
Landing dateApril 9, 1983, 18:53:42 (April 9, 1983, 18:53:42) UTC (10:53:42 am PST)
Landing siteEdwards, Runway 22
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit[1]
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude288 km (179 mi)
Apogee altitude295 km (183 mi)
Inclination28.50°
Period90.40 minutes

STS-6 mission patch

From left: Peterson, Weitz, Musgrave and Bobko
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STS-7 →

STS-6 was the sixth NASA Space Shuttle mission and the maiden flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger. 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.

  1. ^ "SATCAT". Jonathan's Space Report. January 6, 2022. Retrieved January 11, 2022.