Space Shuttle Endeavour / OV-105 | STS-61
Launch Successful
L - -- : -- : -- : --
Dec. 2, 1993, 9:27 a.m.
Instantaneous launch window.
Launch Window
Dec. 2, 1993, 9:27 a.m. - Dec. 2, 1993, 9:27 a.m.
Instantaneous launch window.
Dec. 2, 1993, 9:27 a.m. - Dec. 2, 1993, 9:27 a.m.
STS-61 was the first Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, and the fifth flight of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. The mission launched on 2 December 1993 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission restored the spaceborne observatory's vision, marred by spherical aberration, with the installation of a new main camera and a corrective optics package. This correction occurred more than three and a half years after the Hubble was launched aboard STS-31 in April 1990. The flight also brought instrument upgrades and new solar arrays to the telescope.
Space Shuttle Endeavour (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105) is a retired orbiter from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the fifth and final operational Shuttle built. The United States Congress approved the construction of Endeavour in 1987 to replace Challenger, which was destroyed in 1986. Structural spares built during the construction of Discovery and Atlantis were used in its assembly. NASA chose, on cost grounds, to build Endeavour from spares rather than refitting Enterprise or accepting a Rockwell International proposal to build two Shuttles for the price of one.
Space Shuttle Endeavour (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-105) is a retired orbiter from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the fifth and final operational shuttle built. It embarked on its first mission, STS-49, in May 1992 and its 25th and final mission, STS-134, in May 2011. STS-134 was expected to be the final mission of the Space Shuttle program, but with the authorization of STS-135, Atlantis became the last shuttle to fly. The United States Congress approved the construction of Endeavour in 1987 to replace Challenger, which was lost in 1986. Structural spares built during the construction of Discovery and Atlantis were used in its assembly. NASA chose, on cost grounds, to build Endeavour from spares rather than refitting Enterprise.
Space Shuttle Details
Date of
Birth: Aug. 19, 1935
Age: 86
Date of
Birth: Nov. 2, 1944
Age: 77
Date of
Birth: Aug. 17, 1952
Age: 69
Date of
Birth: May 20, 1951
Age: 71
Date of
Birth: Aug. 1, 1946
Age: 75
Date of
Birth: Sept. 2, 1944
Age: 77
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