STS-6 the First Challenger Mission

The STS-6 first challenger mission was on April 4,1983 and was scheduled as the sixth shuttle trip from NASA. This was a compelling journey that launched from Kennedy Space Center carrying the TDRS-1. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellite or TDRS-1 was on its first journey into space. This task was also the first time the astronauts were to spacewalk. An extremely crucial step in space exploration for the United States, if not for the entire world to know. There were four men that flew this space shuttle mission and the last four man crew to go into space. Subsequent missions had more crew members than the STS-6. This had no bearing on what was to be accomplished on this mission. The mission started with a few problems in the shuttle before the initial launch. There were leaks in the main engines, and gas leaks were discovered in January of the same year. The flight crew consisted of Paul J. Weitz, commander; Karol J. Bobko, pilot; Donald H. Peterson and Story Musgrave. The team had several items that were never used in other space flights including new spacesuits. Daring mission for these astronauts with all the problems from the time this shuttle was built. The problem was there, and the crew were more than willing to make history for the space program. One of many challenges for this mission was the deployment of the TDRS as this possession did not behave in a manner consistent with NASA. After deployment of the TDRS, there were problems with moving this item with thrusters to the desired area of orbit. It was a $100 million dollar winner in the completion of this mission. The operation was completed as the crew flew home on April 9th, 1983 landing at Edwards AFB. This mission flew over 2 million miles in the 5 days the crew had control. What a fantastic journey that many scientist thought would fail.

The Challenger name was from the HMS Challenger, which was a British corvette. The corvette was not the shiny variety of vehicles from Chevrolet. It was a warship referred to as a corvet. This was a light coastal patrol craft that had a single gun attached to its bow. These ships are commonly used to defend the coast against hostilities that may arise from distant countries or terrorist. The corvette was used in small military roles in fighting wars or as support ships for larger vessels at sea.

The TDRS-1 has completed its task of twenty five years as of April 4th, 2008 and has been a blessing to the space program. This Tracking and Radar Satellite was built by Northrup Grumman that was used for communications from space to earth. It communicated between Earth-orbiting satellites. This system worked flawlessly for the NASA and human communications worldwide transmitting signals. The signals were used for voice, television and data transference for the entire nation. The benefits that we received from this TDRS-1 were probably unnoticed to those who were not familiar with the exact nature of this satellite. It was the emergence of a new age and particular importance to our lives. The enhancement of this type of communications helped in recent missions to space for other space shuttle expeditions. What an accomplishment this technology has proven to us has been impressive and beneficial to Northrup Grumman and the entire space program.

The space program has been an attractive part of our history and central to how our lives have been molded to include this group of efforts. Many of us do not understand the importance of having separate space programs. Is it the responsibility of the media not informing us about missions? We take advantage of the technology every day and don’t even know it. The satellites are launched almost every day for communications and personal endeavors. What the world does not know is that most of the work with the orbiting satellites affect our business and economy. We take for granted cell phones and other electronics and don’t even think that the space programs had anything to do with our electronic media. The TDRS-1 was also documented to have been used for surgery during a medical emergency through transmission from the satellite and researcher at the South Pole. It provided consistent radio communication for thousands of hours of operations in space and a complete success from scientist and NASA. This mission of the STS-6 space shuttle showed that people and the system can work together and finish what appears to be impossible. The crew of this mission is to be remembered with more than a pat on the back for their accomplishments.

It is a shame that media and reporting never cover the real reason for living on this planet.What would that be? To keep the majority of us educated to the great deeds, the shuttle missions have helped us maintain a pretty good life on this planet. It does not matter what race or religion you are, nor what country you may live in. When we are together, on earth with the space program, all tragedies and wars seem pointless. We kill each other physically and mentally to the extent that what accomplishments that are effective as the space program; should produce a better world peace for everyone.