STS-51-F

STS-51-F (Spacelab 2) was a United States Space Shuttle mission, the 8th mission of the Challenger orbiter.

Crew

• Commander: C. Gordon Fullerton[?]
• Pilot: Roy D. Bridges, Jr.[?]
• Mission Specialist 1: F. Story Musgrave[?]
• Mission Specialist 2: Anthony W. England[?]
• Mission Specialist 3: Karl G. Henize[?]
• Payload Specialist 1: Loren W. Acton
• Payload Specialist 2: John-David F. Bartoe[?]
• Alternate Payload Specialist 1: George W. Simon[?] (not flown)
• Alternate Payload Specialist 2: Diane K. Prinz[?] (not flown)

Mission objective The payload for this mission was the Spacelab module, containing experiments from Life Sciences, Plasma Physics, Astronomy, High-Energy Astrophysics, Solar Physics[?], Atmospheric Physics and Technology Research.

The payload with the most publicity probably was the Carbonated Beverage Dispenser Evaluation - an experiment where both Coca-Cola as well as Pepsi tried to make their drinks available to astronauts.

One of the main engine of the Space Shuttle did shut down prematurely 5:45 minutes after launch. At this time of the flight the abort to orbit is the preferred option, resulting in a lower than planned orbit. Despite this problem the mission was successful.

Mission insignia

The mission insignia was designed by Houston artist Skip Bradley. The Space Shuttle Challenger is depicted ascending toward the heavens in search of new knowledge in the field of solar and stellar astronomy, with its Spacelab 2 payload. The constellations Leo and Orion are in the positions they will be in, relative to the sun during the flight. The nineteen stars signify that this will be the 19th STS flight.

• NASA PAO page about STS-51-F (http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/chron/sts51-f.htm)
• Press Kit (http://science.ksc.nasa.gov/shuttle/missions/51-f/51-f-press-kit.txt)