Three satellites were deployed on this mission, which was Discovery's maiden flight. Solar experiments were conducted to study the feasibility of building large facilities in space, such as a space station. Other payloads included Radiation Monitoring Equipment, experiments from the Shuttle Student Involvement Program, and the IMAX Camera.!
Front row, left to right: Mission Specialist Richard (Mike) Mullane, DOB: 10/10/45, Background: Flew on STS-27 and STS-36. Education: M.S. in aeronautical engineering.
Mission Specialist Steven Hawley, DOB:12/12/51, Background: Flew on 61-C and STS-31. Education: Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics.
Commander Henry Hartsfield Jr., DOB: 11/21/33, Background: Col., USAF. Piloted STS-4. Commanded 61-A. Education: B.S. in physics and M.S. in engineering science.
Pilot Michael Coats, DOB:1/16/46, Background: Capt., USN. Commanded STS-29 and STS-39. Education: M.S. in administration of science and technology; M.S. in aeronautical engineering.
Back row, left to right: Payload Specialist Charles Walker, DOB: 8/29/48, Background: Flew on 51-D and 61-B. Education: B.S. in aeronautical and astronautical engineering.
Mission Specialist Judith Resnik, DOB: 4/5/49, Background: Flew on 51-L and perished in the accident. Education: Ph.D. in electrical engineering.!
30 August 1984 8:41 a.m. EDT
Launch was scrubbed on three different dates: on the 25th of June, the 26th of June and the 29th of August. The launch on the 30th was delayed 6 minutes when a private aircraft intruded into a warning area. !
