STS-54

STS-54 was a Space Transportation System (NASA Space Shuttle) mission using Space Shuttle Endeavour. This was the third flight for Endeavour, and was launched on 13 January 1993.

STS-54
Endeavour deploys the TDRS-F satellite
Mission typeSatellite deployment
Technology
OperatorNASA
COSPAR ID1993-003A
SATCAT no.22313
Mission duration5 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 19 seconds
Distance travelled4,000,000 kilometers (2,500,000 mi)
Orbits completed96
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSpace Shuttle Endeavour
Landing mass92,988 kilograms (205,003 lb)
Payload mass18,559 kilograms (40,916 lb)
Crew
Crew size5
Members
Start of mission
Launch date13 January 1993, 13:59:30 (1993-01-13UTC13:59:30Z) UTC
Launch siteKennedy LC-39B
End of mission
Landing date19 January 1993, 13:37:47 (1993-01-19UTC13:37:48Z) UTC
Landing siteKennedy SLF Runway 33
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric
RegimeLow Earth
Perigee altitude302 kilometres (188 mi)
Apogee altitude309 kilometres (192 mi)
Inclination28.45 degrees
Period90.6 min

Left to right: Runco, Casper, McMonagle, Helms, Harbaugh
 

Crew
Position Astronaut
Commander John H. Casper
Second spaceflight
Pilot Donald R. McMonagle
Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1 Mario Runco, Jr.
Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2 Gregory J. Harbaugh
Second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 3 Susan J. Helms
First spaceflight

Spacewalks
  • Harbaugh and Runco – EVA 1
  • EVA 1 Start: 17 January 1993
  • EVA 1 End: 17 January 1993
  • Duration: 4 hours, 28 minutes

Mission highlights
Harbaugh and Runco during the EVA

The primary payload was the fifth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-F) which was deployed on day one of the mission. It was later successfully transferred to its proper orbit by the Inertial Upper Stage booster.

Also carried into orbit in the payload bay was a Hitchhiker experiment called the Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS). This instrument collected data on X-ray radiation from diffuse sources in deep space.

Other middeck payloads to test the effects of microgravity included the Commercial General Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGPA) for-life sciences research; the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space Experiment (CHROMEX) to-study plant growth; the Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE) to examine the skeletal system and the adaptation of bone to space flight; the Space Acceleration Measurement Equipment (SAMS) to measure and record the microgravity acceleration environment of middeck experiments; and the Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE) to measure the rate of flame spread and temperature of burning filter paper.

Also, on day five, mission specialists Mario Runco and Gregory J. Harbaugh spent nearly 5 hours in the open cargo bay performing a series of space-walking tasks designed to increase NASA's knowledge of working in space. They tested their abilities to move about freely in the cargo bay, climb into foot restraints without using their hands and simulated carrying large objects in the microgravity environment.

See also

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

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