During STS-6, astronauts Story Musgrave and Don Peterson perform the first Space Shuttle spacewalk.

The dawn of April 4, 1983, marked a pivotal moment in NASA's Space Shuttle program with the launch of STS-6 from the historic Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission wasn't just the sixth flight of the Space Transportation System (STS); it heralded the spectacular debut of a new vehicle in the fleet: the Space Shuttle Challenger. Following in the operational footsteps of Columbia, Challenger's maiden voyage represented an expansion of America's orbital capabilities and set the stage for a series of groundbreaking activities and critical deployments.

The Mission's Primary Objective: Deploying TDRS-1

Central to STS-6's ambitious agenda was the deployment of the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-1. This sophisticated spacecraft was designed to revolutionize space communications, offering continuous, high-bandwidth communication links between Earth and orbiting spacecraft. Prior to the TDRS system, NASA relied heavily on a scattered network of ground stations, which often resulted in limited communication windows during missions. The advent of TDRS promised to provide near-global coverage, dramatically improving data transmission and mission control capabilities for future scientific and exploratory endeavors. While the deployment of TDRS-1 from Challenger's payload bay proceeded smoothly, the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) responsible for boosting the satellite to its operational geostationary orbit encountered a malfunction. This necessitated the TDRS-1 satellite itself using its on-board thrusters over several months to painstakingly achieve its intended high-Earth orbit, a testament to the resilience and adaptability of both the satellite and the dedicated teams on the ground.

A Historic First: The Space Shuttle's Maiden Spacewalk

Beyond the critical satellite deployment, STS-6 etched its name in history by hosting the first-ever Extravehicular Activity (EVA), or spacewalk, conducted from a Space Shuttle. Astronauts Donald H. Peterson and F. Story Musgrave ventured outside Challenger's airlock on April 7, 1983, becoming the first individuals to wear the newly developed Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) in the vacuum of space. The EMU, a self-contained, modular spacesuit system, was specifically designed for the Shuttle era, offering increased flexibility, improved thermal control, and extended operational capability compared to earlier suit designs used during Apollo and Skylab missions. Their four-hour, 17-minute spacewalk primarily served to rigorously test the new EMUs, evaluate tools and procedures for future on-orbit servicing and construction missions, and to demonstrate the Shuttle's capacity as a stable platform for astronaut operations outside the spacecraft, laying crucial groundwork for future space station assembly.

Mission Conclusion and Legacy

After five eventful days in orbit, having successfully deployed a vital satellite and pioneered new operational procedures in space, Challenger gracefully returned to Earth. On April 9, 1983, the orbiter touched down on the expansive dry lakebed runways of Edwards Air Force Base in California. This location was a common landing site for early Shuttle missions due to its vast area and consistently favorable weather conditions, offering ample room for error during the critical landing phase. STS-6 not only inaugurated a new era for the Space Shuttle Challenger but also laid crucial groundwork for future space endeavors, solidifying the Space Shuttle's role as a versatile workhorse for science, deployment, and human exploration, expanding the horizons of what was possible in low Earth orbit.

Frequently Asked Questions about STS-6

What does STS stand for?
STS stands for Space Transportation System, which was the official name for the Space Shuttle program.
Who was the crew of STS-6?
The crew of STS-6 consisted of Commander Paul J. Weitz, Pilot Karol J. Bobko, and Mission Specialists F. Story Musgrave and Donald H. Peterson.
What was the primary goal of STS-6?
The primary goal of STS-6 was to deploy the first Tracking and Data Relay Satellite, TDRS-1, into orbit.
Why was the TDRS system important?
The TDRS system was crucial because it revolutionized space communications by providing continuous, high-bandwidth data links between Earth and orbiting spacecraft, significantly reducing reliance on scattered ground stations and improving mission control capabilities.
What was significant about the spacewalk on STS-6?
The spacewalk conducted on STS-6 was historic as it was the first-ever Extravehicular Activity (EVA) performed from a Space Shuttle and the maiden operational use of the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit system.
How long was the STS-6 mission?
The STS-6 mission lasted approximately 5 days, from its launch on April 4, 1983, to its landing on April 9, 1983.
Where did Challenger land after STS-6?
After completing its mission, the Space Shuttle Challenger landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California.