LOCKHEED SPACE OPERATIONS COMPANY

Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-55

SUCCESSApr 26, 1993 at 14:50 UTCSpace Shuttle →
PADLaunch Complex 39A
SITEKennedy Space Center, FL, USA →
ORBITLow Earth Orbit
PROGRAMSpace Shuttle

STS-55 (Space Transportation System 55), or D-2 was the 55th overall flight of the US Space Shuttle and the 14th flight of Shuttle Columbia. This flight was a multinational Spacelab flight involving 88 experiments from eleven different nations. The experiments ranged from biology sciences to simple earth observations.

AGENCY
Lockheed Space Operations Company
MISSION
STS-55
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Space Shuttle
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 90c13c99-7c42-4e8a-87a0-e6b507d6942b
Reported date: Apr 26, 1993 at 14:50 UTC
Last synced: 17 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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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
Steven R. NagelCommander
Terence HenricksPilot
Ulrich WalterPayload Specialist
Bernard HarrisMission Specialist
Hans SchlegelPayload Specialist
Charles J. PrecourtMission Specialist
Jerry L. RossMission 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 Columbia / OV-102 | STS-55 launch?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-55 is scheduled for Monday, April 26, 1993 at 2:50 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-55?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-55 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-55 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is STS-55 going to?
The STS-55 mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STS-55?
The Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-55 is operated by Lockheed Space Operations Company. It is part of the Space Shuttle program.
Can I watch the Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-55 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 03:06 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 03:06 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 26, 1993 at 14:50 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Lockheed Space Operations Company
Mar 29, 2026 03:06 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 17 minutes ago
Launch Library 217 minutes ago
Launch ID: 90c13c99-7c42-4e8a-87a0-e6b507d6942b
Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 28.61, -80.6

Mission Profile

STS-55 was a Space Shuttle mission operated by Lockheed Space Operations Company that lifted off from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on April 26, 1993. The flight carried its payload to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Space Shuttle program. The launch was a success.