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1995-04-04
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In October, 1985, just four months before the loss of Challenger, the space shuttle Atlantis
became the fourth vehicle in the American shuttle fleet. This first flight of Atlantis was a
mission for the Department of Defense, and thus, details on this mission are classified.
On the second mission of Atlantis, in November, 1985, astronauts performing a
Extravehicular Activity (EVA) worked on an erectable structure in space. Experience
from this exercise has aided in the design of components for the international space
station. Shuttle astronauts proved that they could work with large structures in space, and
engineers received a demonstration of lightweight yet strong alloys that will be used in
orbital construction.
In May, 1989, the shuttle Atlantis deployed the Magellan spacecraft to Venus during
mission STS-30. This probe has provided scientists with the first ever maps of the surface
of Venus, using radar mapping technology. This technology will be used on future
missions to explore the Earth as well as other planets.
One of the other great missions carried out by Atlantis was in October, 1989. On mission
STS-34 the space shuttle Atlantis dispatched the Galileo spacecraft to Jupiter. Galileo
would take more that five years to swing around Venus and Earth to finally reach Jupiter.
There, the spacecraft is to drop a probe into the atmosphere of the giant planet in late
1995.
The space shuttle Atlantis deployed the Gamma Ray Observatory in April, 1991. This
satellite has been an important addition to the network of orbital astronomy satellites,
working along with the Hubble Space Telescope. The Atlantis space shuttle continues to
serve the American shuttle fleet, and will play an important role in future missions.