Lockheed Space Operations Company STS-51-J Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104
Rocket Launch Video Stream
Meet the Astronaut Crew
Karol J. Bobko
- Birthday: 12/23/1937
- Role: Commander
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 04/04/1983
- Last Flight: 10/03/1985
Karol Joseph "Bo" Bobko is an American aerospace engineer, retired U.S. Air Force officer, test pilot, and a former...
Ronald J. Grabe
- Birthday: 06/13/1945
- Role: Pilot
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 10/03/1985
- Last Flight: 06/21/1993
Ronald John Grabe is a former NASA astronaut.
He has earned the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, the Ai...
William A. Pailes
- Birthday: 06/26/1952
- Role: Payload Specialist
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 10/03/1985
- Last Flight: 10/03/1985
William Arthur Pailes (Colonel, USAF) (born June 26, 1952) was a USAF astronaut in the Manned Spaceflight Engineer Program du...
Robert L. Stewart
- Birthday: 05/10/1942
- Role: Mission Specialist
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 02/03/1984
- Last Flight: 10/03/1985
Robert Lee Stewart is a retired brigadier general of the United States Army and a former NASA astronaut.
David Hilmers
- Birthday: 01/28/1950
- Role: Mission Specialist
- Nationality: United States of America
- First Flight: 10/03/1985
- Last Flight: 01/22/1992
David Carl Hilmers is a former NASA astronaut. Hilmers was selected a NASA astronaut in July 1980, and completed the initial ...
About the STS-51-J Mission
- Type: Government/Top Secret
- Orbit: Low Earth Orbit
- Launch Cost: $450,000,000
STS-51-J was the twenty-first space shuttle mission and the maiden flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the second mission dedicated to deploying a Department of Defence payload. It was a classified mission however we do know that it deployed two 10 satellites.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Complex 39A
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
The Launch Complex 39A launch pad has hosted 222 rocket launches, including 221 orbital launch attempts. The Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA launch site has been the location for 281 total rocket launches.
The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Shuttle Rocket
The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS). Five complete Space Shuttle orbiter vehicles were built and flown on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011.
Learn more about the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Shuttle Rocket
About Lockheed Space Operations Company
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle STS-51-J launch scheduled?
The Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle STS-51-J launch was scheduled for:
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Where can I watch the Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle STS-51-J launch video?
You can watch the Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle launch video on this page. The official video includes full mission coverage with multiple camera angles, onboard views, and expert commentary covering pre-launch procedures, liftoff, stage separation, and payload deployment.
Where did the Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle STS-51-J mission launch from?
The Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle rocket launched from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA. The John F. Kennedy Space Center, located on Merritt Island, Florida, is one of NASA's ten field centers. Since 1968, KSC has been NASA's primary launch center of American spaceflight, research, and technology. Launch operations for the Apollo, Skylab and Space Shuttle programs were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39 and managed by KSC. Located on the east coast of Florida, KSC is adjacent to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS).
What rocket was used for the STS-51-J mission?
The STS-51-J mission launched aboard a Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle rocket. The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS). Five complete Space Shuttle orbiter vehicles were built and flown on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle STS-51-J launch?
The Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle STS-51-J launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle STS-51-J launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest Lockheed Space Operations Company Space Shuttle launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the STS-51-J mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official Lockheed Space Operations Company live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.