James Dougal Adrianus "Ox" van Hoften, Ph.D. is an American civil and hydraulic engineer, retired U.S. Navy officer and aviator, and a former astronaut for NASA.
STS-41-C was the eleventh mission of the shuttle program and fifth mission for Space Shuttle Challenger. It marked the first time a shuttle performed a direct ascent. Its mission was to capsule the Solar Max Satellite and repair it whilst in orbit.
Low Earth OrbitThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.