 Endeavour deploys theTDRS-F satellite. | |
| Names | Space Transportation System-54 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | TDRS-F satellite deployment Technology research |
| Operator | NASA |
| COSPAR ID | 1993-003A |
| SATCATno. | 22313 |
| Mission duration | 5 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 17 seconds |
| Distance travelled | 4,025,415 km (2,501,277 mi) |
| Orbits completed | 96 |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Space Shuttle Endeavour |
| Landing mass | 92,988 kg (205,003 lb) |
| Payload mass | 18,559 kg (40,916 lb) |
| Crew | |
| Crew size | 5 |
| Members | |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | January 13, 1993, 13:59:30 (1993-01-13UTC13:59:30Z) UTC (8:59:30 am EST) |
| Launch site | Kennedy,LC-39B |
| Contractor | Rockwell International |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | January 19, 1993, 13:37:47 (1993-01-19UTC13:37:48Z) UTC (8:37:47 am EST) |
| Landing site | Kennedy,SLF Runway 33 |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit |
| Regime | Low Earth orbit |
| Perigee altitude | 302 km (188 mi) |
| Apogee altitude | 309 km (192 mi) |
| Inclination | 28.45 degrees |
| Period | 90.60 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| |
 STS-54 mission patch  From left:Runco,Casper,McMonagle,Helms andHarbaugh | |
STS-54 was aNASASpace Transportation System (Space Shuttle) mission usingSpace ShuttleEndeavour. This was the third flight forEndeavour, and was launched on January 13, 1993, with Endeavour returning to the Kennedy Space Center on January 19, 1993.
| Position | Astronaut[1] | |
|---|---|---|
| Commander | John Casper Second spaceflight | |
| Pilot | Donald R. McMonagle Second spaceflight | |
| Mission Specialist 1 | Mario Runco Jr. Second spaceflight | |
| Mission Specialist 2 Flight Engineer | Gregory J. Harbaugh Second spaceflight | |
| Mission Specialist 3 | Susan Helms First spaceflight | |
| Seat[1] | Launch | Landing |  Seats 1–4 are on the flight deck. Seats 5–7 are on the mid-deck. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casper | ||
| 2 | McMonagle | ||
| 3 | Runco | Helms | |
| 4 | Harbaugh | ||
| 5 | Helms | Runco | |
| 6 | Unused | ||
| 7 | Unused | ||
The primary payload was the fifth TDRS satellite,TDRS-F, which was deployed on day one of the mission.[2] It was later successfully transferred to its proper orbit by theInertial Upper Stage (IUS).[3] Also carried into orbit in the payload bay was a Hitchhiker experiment called the Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS). This instrument collected data onX-ray radiation from diffuse sources in deep space.[4]
Other middeck payloads to test the effects ofmicrogravity 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 theskeletal system and the adaptation ofbone to space flight; the Space Acceleration Measurement Equipment (SAMS) to measure and record the microgravityacceleration environment of middeck experiments; and the Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE) to measure the rate offlame spread and temperature of burning filter paper.[1]
Also, on day five, mission specialistsMario Runco Jr. andGregory J. Harbaugh spent nearly 5 hours in the open cargo bay performing a series of space-walking tasks designed to increaseNASA'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 themicrogravity environment. The EVA completed after 4 hours, 28 minutes.[1]
The EVA was a late addition to the mission plan as part of NASA's objectives to hone EVA skills required for hardware assembly anticipating the International Space Station.[5]
The mission completed on January 19, 1993, with a landing at Kennedy Space Center.[1]
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