This was the second mission totally dedicated to the Department of Defense, in which all mission objectives were top-secret and classified.!
Front row, left to right: Mission Specialist Robert Stewart, DOB: 8/13/42, Background: U.S. Army Brigadier General. Mission specialist on 41-B. Education: M.S. in aerospace engineering.
Commander Karol Bobko, DOB: 12/23/37, Background: Pilot on STS-6. Commander on 51-D. Education: M.S. in aerospace engineering.
Pilot Ronald Grabe, DOB: 6/13/45, Background: Piloted STS-30. Commanded STS-42. Education: B.S. in engineering science.
Back row, left to right: Mission Specialist David Hilmers, DOB: 1/28/50, Background: Served as mission specialist on STS-26, STS-36 and STS-42. Education: M.S. in electrical engineering.
Payload Specialist William Pailes, DOB: 6/26/52, Background: Maj., USAF. Manned Spaceflight Engineer. Education: B.S. in computer science; M.S. in computer science.!
3 October 1985 11:15 a.m. EDT
Launch was delayed 22 minutes and 30 seconds due to a main engine controller showing a faulty "on" indication.!
