1984 Discovery's Historic Move to the Vehicle Assembly Building

Name: 1984 Discovery's Historic Move to the Vehicle Assembly Building
Start: 1984-10-18
Location: Unspecified

The Journey of Space Shuttle Discovery

Discovery's Mating for STS 51A Mission

On August 30, 1984, the Space Shuttle Discovery embarked on a significant journey as it was moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This crucial step was part of the preparations for the STS 51A mission, which would mark an important milestone in NASA's Space Shuttle program. The mating process involved combining the orbiter with the external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters.

Importance of the Vehicle Assembly Building

The Vehicle Assembly Building is an iconic NASA structure, one of the largest buildings in the world by volume. This facility is pivotal in assembling the solid rocket boosters, external tank, and orbiter for each shuttle mission. The relocation of Discovery to the VAB underscored the meticulous planning and teamwork required to ensure the safety and success of space missions.

STS 51A Mission Details

Objectives of STS 51A

The STS 51A mission primarily aimed at deploying two satellites into orbit and performing a series of critical experiments. An important highlight of this mission was the return of two satellites, which demonstrated the capability of the shuttle to not only launch but also recover payloads from orbit. This mission was a testament to the Shuttle program's versatility and operational capability.

Launch Timeline and Crew

STS 51A was scheduled to launch on November 8, 1984. The mission was led by Commander John W. Young, one of the most experienced astronauts at the time, who had previously walked on the moon. The crew of Discovery consisted of skilled astronauts who contributed their expertise in science, engineering, and logistics to ensure the mission's success.

Fun Fact

Discovery's Legacy

The Space Shuttle Discovery is renowned for being a workhorse of NASA's fleet, flying a total of 39 missions from 1984 to 2011. Over its career, it played a pivotal role in assembly and servicing missions for the International Space Station.