ROCKWELL INTERNATIONAL

Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-3

SUCCESSMar 22, 1982 at 16:00 UTCSpace Shuttle
PADLaunch Complex 39A
SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
TYPETest Flight
PROGRAMSpace Shuttle

STS-3 was the third flight of the Space Shuttle program. It flew in orbit for 8 days. This mission involved extensive orbital endurance testing of Columbia and also included multiple scientific experiments.

VEHICLE
Space Shuttle
AGENCY
Rockwell International
MISSION
STS-3
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Space Shuttle
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: bfb95a55-5232-45df-966c-8e8574060bda
Reported date: Mar 22, 1982 at 16:00 UTC
Last synced: 8 hours 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-102SERIAL
28FLIGHTS
Low Earth OrbitDESTINATION
DestroyedSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Space Shuttle Columbia (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first space-rated orbiter in NASA's Space Shuttle fleet. It launched for the first time on mission STS-1 on April 12, 1981,…

CREW MANIFEST
Jack R. LousmaCommander
C. Gordon FullertonPilot
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 Columbia / OV-102 | STS-3 launch?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-3 is scheduled for Monday, March 22, 1982 at 4:00 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-3?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-3 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 Columbia / OV-102 | STS-3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is STS-3 going to?
The STS-3 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STS-3?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-3 is operated by Rockwell International. It is part of the Space Shuttle program.
Can I watch the Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-3 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 23:43 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch date set: Mar 22, 1982 at 16:00 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Rockwell International
Mar 29, 2026 23:43 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 8 hours ago
Launch Library 220 hours ago
Launch ID: bfb95a55-5232-45df-966c-8e8574060bda
Open-Meteo Weather20 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.61, -80.6
YouTube Video Search3 weeks ago
1 video discovered

Mission Profile

STS-3 was a Space Shuttle mission operated by Rockwell International that lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on March 22, 1982. The flight carried its payload on a test flight mission to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Space Shuttle program. The launch was a success.