This was the first mission totally dedicated to the Department of Defense. The U.S. Air Force Inertial Upper Stage booster rocket was deployed, meeting its mission objectives. Other payloads and mission objectives are top-secret, classified information.!
Kneeling, left to right: Pilot Loren Shriver, DOB: 9/23/44, Background: Col., USAF. Served as Commander for STS-31 and STS-46. Education: M.S. in aeronautical engineering.
Commander Thomas (Ken) Mattingly II, DOB: 3/17/36, Background: Captain, U.S. Navy. Selected by NASA in 1966. Flew on Apollo 16. Commanded STS-4. Education: B.S. in aeronautical engineering.
Standing, left to right: Mission Specialist Gary Payton, born in 1948. Background: Lt. Col, USAF. Spacecraft test controller. Education: B.S. in astronautical engineering; M.S. in astronautical and aeronautical engineering.
Mission Specialist James Buchli, DOB: 6/20/45, Background: Col., USMC. Selected by NASA in 1978. Flew on 61-A, STS-29, and STS-48. Education: M.S. in aeronautical engineering systems.
Mission Specialist Ellison Onizuka, DOB: 6/24/46, Background: Lt. Col., USAF. Selected by NASA in 1978. Died in flight 51-L accident. Education: M.S. in aerospace engineering.!
24 January 1985 2:50 p.m. EST
Launch was first set for 23 January but was scrubbed due to freezing weather conditions. The orbiter Challenger was originally scheduled for this mission but thermal tile problems necessitated the substitution of the Discovery.!
