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STS-51-J was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Atlantis. It was the 21st mission, and carried a payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. It was the first flight for Atlantis.

1 Crew

• Commander: Karol J. Bobko (3)
• Pilot: Ronald J. Grabe (1)
• Mission Specialist: David C. Hilmers (1)
• Mission Specialist: Robert L. Stewart (2)
• Payload Specialist: William A. Pailes (1)

2 Mission Parameters

• Mass:
  • Payload: Two DSCS-III satellites 2,615 kg ea - Total 5,230 kg
  • Booster: IUS upper stage ~18,000 kg
• Perigee: 476 km
• Apogee: 486 km
• InclinationInclination is one of the six orbital parameters describing the shape and orientation of a celestial orbit and is the angular distance of the orbital plane from the plane of the reference (usually planet's equator or the ecliptic), stated in degrees.: 28.5°
• PeriodA period is an arbitrary interval of time. The word is applied to many different concepts: generally, in science, the time taken for one complete cycle of an alternating quantity. The period of oscillation of a wave is the time taken for the wave to compl: 94.2 min

3 Mission Highlights

This was the second Space Shuttle mission totally dedicated to the Department of Defense. Its cargo was classified but it is reported that two DSCS-III ( Defense Satellite Communications System ) communications satellites were launched into stationary orbit by an IUS upper stage. The DSCS satellites use X-band frequencies (8/7 GHz). Each DSCS III satellite has a design life of 10-years, although several of the DSCS satellites on-orbit today have far exceeded their design life expectancy and continue to perform with outstanding results. Liftoff occurred on October 3, 1985, at 11:15 a.m. EDT, from Pad A, Launch Complex 39, Kennedy Space Center. The orbiter was Atlantis, making its first flight. The mission was classified as "Successful." After a duration of 4 days, 1 hour and 45 minutes, Atlantis landed on Runway 23 at Edwards AFB at 1:00 p.m. EDT on October 7, 1985.

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