This was the fifth mission totally dedicated to the Department of Defense. Mission objectives were classified.!
Front row, left to right: Mission Specialist Kathryn Thornton, DOB: 8/17/52, Background: Physicist at the U.S. Army Foreign Science and Technology Center. Mission specialist on STS-49. Education: Ph.D. in physics.
Commander Frederick Gregory, DOB: 1/7/41, Background: Col., USAF. Pilot on 51-B. Commander of STS-44. Education: M.S. in information systems.
Mission Specialist Story Musgrave, DOB: 8/19/35
Background: Mission specialist on STS-6, 51-F and STS-44. Education: B.S. in mathematics and statistics; B.S. in chemistry; M.B.A. in operational analysis and computer programming; M.S. in physiology and biophysics; M.A. in literature; doctorate of medicine.
Back row, left to right: Mission Specialist Manley (Sonny) Carter, Jr., DOB: 8/15/47, Background: Capt., USN. Education: doctorate of medicine.
Pilot John Blaha, DOB: 8/26/42, Background: Col., USAF. Test pilot and instructor. Pilot on STS-29. Commander on STS-43. Education: M.S. in astronautical engineering.!
22 November 1989 7:23 p.m. EST
Launch proceeded as scheduled with no major delays.!
