STS-28: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Mission Insignia
Mission Statistics
Mission:	STS-28
Shuttle:	Columbia
Launch Pad:	39-B
Launch:	August 8, 1989, 8:37:00 a.m. EDT.
Landing:	August 13, 1989, 6:37:08 a.m. PDT, Runway 17, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Duration:	5 days, 1 hour, 0 minutes, 8 seconds.
Orbit Altitude:	Classified (although based on miles traveled and number of orbits, this would be between 220 and 380 km)
Orbit Inclination:	57.0 degrees
Miles Traveled:	2,100,000
Crew photo

Crew

• Brewster H. Shaw, Jr. (3), Commander
• Richard N. Richards (1), Pilot
• James C. Adamson (1), Mission Specialist 1
• David C. Leestma (2), Mission Specialist 2
• Mark N. Brown (1), Mission Specialist 3

• Mass: 19,600? kg Payload Advanced KH-11 photo-reconnaissance satellite
• Perigee: 289 km
• Apogee: 306 km
• Inclination: 57.0°
• Period: 90.5 min

Fourth mission dedicated to United States Department of Defense, and first flight of Columbia since mission STS-61-C. Due to the nature of this mission, details are classified. Believed to have deployed two satellites, possibly including one second-generation Satellite Data System relay.

It has been reported that STS-28 also deployed an Advanced KH-11 photo-reconnaissance satellite that used an all-digital imaging system to return pictures. The satellite was placed into a low earth orbit with a high-inclination to the equator to allow coverage of most of the Earth's surface. The KH-11 series is a digital imaging photo- reconnaissance satellite with both visual and infrared sensors.

The pioneering Space Shuttle Orbiter Columbia (OV-102), the first operational reusable spaceship in NASA's fleet, lifted off from Pad B, Launch Complex 39, KSC, on Aug. 8, 1989. Liftoff time was 8:37 a.m. EDT. It was the 30th flight of the Space Shuttle, and the first flight of the refurbished Columbia since the 61-C mission on Jan. 12, 1986. Landing was at Edwards AFB, CA, at 9:37 p.m. EDT. The mission lasted for 5 days and 1 hour.

During the flight, the crew shut down a thruster in the reaction control system (RCS) because of indications of a leak. Also, an RCS heater malfunctioned.

• Space science
• Space shuttle
• List of space shuttle missions
• List of human spaceflights chronologically