LOCKHEED SPACE OPERATIONS COMPANY

Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51-D

SUCCESS Space Shuttle →
Apr 12, 1985 at 13:59 UTC
Low Earth Orbit Communications 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
TYPECommunications
PROGRAMSpace Shuttle

STS-51-D was the sixteenth flight of the shuttle and fourth for the Space Shuttle Discovery. Its mission was to deploy a number of 10 satellites. The landing suffered extensive brake damaged and a ruptured tire. All subsequent landings had to be done at the Edwards Air Force Base until the development and implementation of nose steering.

AGENCY
Lockheed Space Operations Company
MISSION
STS-51-D
MISSION TYPE
Communications
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
PROGRAM
Space Shuttle
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: a57bb9aa-8b24-4b84-8713-011499fc2e24
Reported date: Apr 12, 1985 at 13:59 UTC
Last synced: 1 minute ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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OV-103SERIAL
39FLIGHTS
Low Earth OrbitDESTINATION
RetiredSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE

Space Shuttle Discovery (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-103) is one of the orbiters from NASA's Space Shuttle program and the third of five fully operational orbiters to be built. Its first…

CREW MANIFEST
Karol J. BobkoCommander
Donald E. WilliamsPilot
Edwin Jacob GarnPayload Specialist
S. David GriggsMission Specialist
Charles D. WalkerPayload Specialist
Margaret Rhea SeddonMission Specialist
Jeffrey HoffmanMission 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 Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51-D launch?
The Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51-D is scheduled for Friday, April 12, 1985 at 1:59 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-D?
The Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51-D 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 Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51-D launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit is STS-51-D going to?
The STS-51-D mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STS-51-D?
The Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51-D is operated by Lockheed Space Operations Company. It is part of the Space Shuttle program.
Can I watch the Space Shuttle Discovery / OV-103 | STS-51-D 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 23:44 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 29, 2026 23:44 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 12, 1985 at 13:59 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Lockheed Space Operations Company
Mar 29, 2026 23:44 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 1 minute ago
Launch Library 21 minute ago
Launch ID: a57bb9aa-8b24-4b84-8713-011499fc2e24
Open-Meteo Weather1 day ago
Pad weather at 28.61, -80.6

Mission Profile

STS-51-D 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 12, 1985. The flight carried its payload on a communications mission to Low Earth Orbit. It was flown as part of the Space Shuttle program. The launch was a success.