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STS-51-F
Launch Success
Liftoff Time (GMT)
21:00:00
Monday July 29, 1985
Watch Replay
Official Livestream
Mission Details
Launch Notes
The first and only abort to orbit in the Shuttle program. A Faulty temperature sensor incorrectly indicated that fuel turbine discharge temperature exceeded the limit. Therefore, one main engine was shut down at T+345 s, resulting in a much lower orbit than planned. All mission objectives were still achieved.
STS-51-F
While STS-51-F's primary payload was the Spacelab 2 laboratory module, the payload that received the most publicity was the Carbonated Beverage Dispenser Evaluation, which was an experiment in which both Coca-Cola and Pepsi tried to make their carbonated drinks available to astronauts. A helium-cooled infrared telescope (IRT) was also flown on this mission, and while it did have some problems, it observed 60% of the galactic plane.
Low Earth Orbit
16,309 kilograms
Rocket
Agency
NASAPrice
$450.00 million
Rocket
Height: 56.1m
Payload to Orbit
LEO: 27,500 kg
GTO: 3,810 kg
Liftoff Thrust
30,250 Kilonewtons
Stages
2
Strap-ons
2
Launch Site
Stats
Space Shuttle
19th
Mission
5th
Mission of 1985
1985
64th
Orbital launch attempt