STS-38
Atlantis launches on STS-38
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| Mission type | Satellite deployment |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1990-097A |
| SATCAT № | 20935 |
| Mission duration | 4 days, 21 hours, 54 minutes, 31 seconds |
| Distance travelled | 3,291,199 kilometres (2,045,056 mi) |
| Orbits completed | 79 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Space Shuttle Atlantis |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 5 |
| Members |
Richard O. Covey Frank L. Culbertson, Jr. Carl J. Meade Robert C. Springer Charles D. Gemar |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 15 November 1990, 23:48:13 UTC |
| Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | 20 November 1990, 21:42:42 UTC |
| Landing site | Kennedy SLF Runway 33 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric |
| Regime | Low Earth |
| Perigee | 260 kilometres (160 mi) |
| Apogee | 269 kilometres (167 mi) |
| Inclination | 28.4 degrees |
| Period | 89.79 minutes |
| Epoch | 17 November 1990 |
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 Left to right - Seated: Culbertson, Covey; Standing: Gemar, Springer, Meade |
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STS-38 was a Space Shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the 37th shuttle mission, and carried a classified payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. It was the 7th flight for Atlantis and the 7th flight dedicated to the Department of Defense. The mission was a 4-day mission that traveled more than 2 million miles and completed 79 revolutions. Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility's runway 33. The launch was originally scheduled for July 1990, but was rescheduled due to a hydrogen leak found on Space Shuttle Columbia during the STS-35 countdown. During a rollback to the Orbiter Processing Facility Atlantis was damaged during a hail storm. The eventual launch date of 15 November 1990 was set due to a payload problem. The launch window was between 18:30 and 22:30 EST. The launch occurred at 18:48 EST.
The launch occurred on 15 November 1990, 18:48:13 EST. It was originally scheduled for July 1990, however, a liquid hydrogen leak found on Columbia during the STS-35 countdown prompted three precautionary tanking tests on Atlantis at the pad on 29, 13 June July – 25 July 1990. Tests confirmed the hydrogen fuel leak on the external tank side of the external tank/orbiter 432 millimetres (17.0 in) quick disconnect umbilical. This could not be repaired at the pad and Atlantis was rolled back to the VAB on 9 August, demated, then transferred to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF). During rollback, the vehicle remained parked outside the VAB for about a day while the Columbia/STS-35 stack was transferred to the pad for launch. While outside, Atlantis suffered minor hail damage to its tiles during a thunderstorm. After repairs were made in the OPF, Atlantis was transferred to the VAB for mating on 2 October. During hoisting operations, the platform beam that was to have been removed from the orbiter's aft compartment fell and caused minor damage, which was repaired. The vehicle rolled out to Pad A on 12 October 1990. The fourth mini-tanking test was performed on 24 October, with no excessive hydrogen or oxygen leakage detected. During the Flight Readiness Review, the launch date was set for 9 November 1990. The launch was reset for 15 November due to payload problems. Liftoff occurred during a classified launch window lying within a launch period extending from 18:30 to 22:30 EST on 15 November.
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