Atmospheric instruments were Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment Millimeter Wave Atmospheric Sounder (MAS) and Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet/A (SSBUV/A) spectrometer (on cargo bay wall). Included six instruments mounted on Spacelab pallet in cargo bay, with seventh mounted on wall of bay in two Get Away Special canisters. The primary payload of the flight was the Atmospheric Laboratory for Applications and Science-2 (ATLAS-2), designed to collect data on relationship between sun’s energy output and Earth’s middle atmosphere and how these factors affect ozone layer. Final countdown on April 8 proceeded smoothly. Later analysis indicated valve was properly configured 48-hour scrub turnaround procedures implemented. Mission Duration: 9 days, 6 hours, 8 minutes, 24 secondsĮllen Ochoa, Mission Specialist Launch Highlightsįirst launch attempt on April 6 was halted at T-11 seconds by orbiter’s computers when instrumentation on the liquid hydrogen high point bleed valve in main propulsion system indicated off instead of on.
Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida
