LOCKHEED SPACE OPERATIONS COMPANY

Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-51-J

SUCCESS Space Shuttle →
Oct 3, 1985 at 15:15 UTC
Low Earth Orbit Government/Top Secret Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA 99% success
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Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADLaunch Complex 39A
SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPEGovernment/Top Secret
PROGRAMSpace Shuttle

STS-51-J was the twenty-first space shuttle mission and the maiden flight of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the second mission dedicated to deploying a Department of Defence payload. It was a classified mission however we do know that it deployed two 10 satellites.

AGENCY
Lockheed Space Operations Company
MISSION
STS-51-J
MISSION TYPE
Government/Top Secret
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Space Shuttle
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: a99a9ee3-8364-41e4-9dc0-9458c24e31a7
Reported date: Oct 3, 1985 at 15:15 UTC
Last synced: 9 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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OV-104SERIAL
33FLIGHTS
Low Earth OrbitDESTINATION
RetiredSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Space Shuttle Atlantis (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OVu2011104) is a Space Shuttle orbiter vehicle belonging to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the spaceflight and space exploration agency of the…

CREW MANIFEST
Karol J. BobkoCommander
Ronald J. GrabePilot
William A. PailesPayload Specialist
Robert L. StewartMission Specialist
David HilmersMission Specialist
MANUFACTURER
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
FLIGHTS
135
SUCCESSES
133
SUCCESS RATE
98.5%

The Space Shuttle is a retired, partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated from 1981 to 2011 by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) as part of the Space Shuttle program. Its official program name was Space Transportation System (STS). Five complete Space Shuttle orbiter vehicles were built and flown on a total of 135 missions from 1981 to 2011.

When is the Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-51-J launch?
The Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-51-J is scheduled for Thursday, October 3, 1985 at 3:15 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for STS-51-J?
The Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-51-J mission uses the Space Shuttle rocket, manufactured by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Space Shuttle has flown 135 times with a 98.5% success rate.
Where is the Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-51-J launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is STS-51-J going to?
The STS-51-J mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STS-51-J?
The Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-51-J is operated by Lockheed Space Operations Company. It is part of the Space Shuttle program.
Can I watch the Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-51-J launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 29, 2026 23:45 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 23:45 UTC
Launch date set: Oct 3, 1985 at 15:15 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Lockheed Space Operations Company
Mar 29, 2026 23:45 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 9 minutes ago
Launch Library 29 minutes ago
Launch ID: a99a9ee3-8364-41e4-9dc0-9458c24e31a7
Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 28.61, -80.6

Mission Profile

STS-51-J was a Space Shuttle mission operated by Lockheed Space Operations Company that lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on October 3, 1985. The flight carried its payload on a government/top secret mission to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Space Shuttle program. The launch was a success.