LOCKHEED SPACE OPERATIONS COMPANY

Space Shuttle Challenger / OV-099 | STS-61-A

SUCCESS Space Shuttle →
Oct 30, 1985 at 17:00 UTC
Low Earth Orbit Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA 99% success
Initializing Launch Globe…
Live Orbit
Fullscreen
▶ REPLAY
Source
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADLaunch Complex 39A
SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
PROGRAMSpace Shuttle

STS-61-A was the twenty-second space shuttle flight and ninth for Space Shuttle Challenger. It was a scientific spacelab mission funded entirely by West Germany. The payload operations were controlled from the German Space Operations Center as opposed to the regular NASA centers.

AGENCY
Lockheed Space Operations Company
MISSION
STS-61-A
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Space Shuttle
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 973b1401-b6c1-401f-b795-d2a53265ad9a
Reported date: Oct 30, 1985 at 17:00 UTC
Last synced: 33 seconds ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
Loading weather…
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
OV-099SERIAL
10FLIGHTS
Low Earth OrbitDESTINATION
DestroyedSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Space Shuttle Challenger (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was the second orbiter of NASA's space shuttle program to be put into service, after Columbia. Challenger was built by Rockwell International's Space…

CREW MANIFEST
Henry 'Hank' HartsfieldCommander
Steven R. NagelPilot
Ernst MesserschmidPayload Specialist
Reinhard FurrerPayload Specialist
Wubbo OckelsPayload Specialist
Guion BlufordMission Specialist
James BuchliMission Specialist
Bonnie J. DunbarMission 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 Challenger / OV-099 | STS-61-A launch?
The Space Shuttle Challenger / OV-099 | STS-61-A is scheduled for Wednesday, October 30, 1985 at 5:00 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-61-A?
The Space Shuttle Challenger / OV-099 | STS-61-A 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 Challenger / OV-099 | STS-61-A launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is STS-61-A going to?
The STS-61-A mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STS-61-A?
The Space Shuttle Challenger / OV-099 | STS-61-A is operated by Lockheed Space Operations Company. It is part of the Space Shuttle program.
Can I watch the Space Shuttle Challenger / OV-099 | STS-61-A 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 30, 1985 at 17:00 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: 33 seconds ago
Launch Library 233 seconds ago
Launch ID: 973b1401-b6c1-401f-b795-d2a53265ad9a
Open-Meteo Weather1 week ago
Pad weather at 28.61, -80.6

Mission Profile

STS-61-A 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 30, 1985. The flight carried its payload to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Space Shuttle program. The launch was a success.