NEXT SPACEFLIGHT

Status

Success

STS-46

Launch Time
Fri Jul 31, 1992 13:56 UTC

Rocket

Space Shuttle Atlantis
NASA
Status: Retired
Price: $450.0 million
Liftoff Thrust: 30,250 kN
Payload to LEO: 27,500 kg
Payload to GTO: 3,810 kg
Stages: 2
Strap-ons: 2
Rocket Height: 56.1 m

Vehicles

Kennedy SLF Runway 33

OV-104

Flight #12
129 day turnaround

Mission Details

STS-46

The mission's primary objectives were the deployment of the European Space Agency's EURECA (European Retrievable Carrier) and the joint NASA/Italian Space Agency Tethered Satellite System (TSS). EURECA was deployed a day later than scheduled because of a problem with its data handling system. Seven and a half hours after deployment, the spacecraft's thrusters were fired to boost EURECA to its planned operating altitude of around 310 miles. However, thruster firing was cut to six minutes from 24 minutes because of unexpected attitude data from the spacecraft. The problem was resolved, and EURECA was successfully boosted to its operational orbit on the mission's sixth day. TSS deployment also was delayed one day because of the problems with EURECA. During deployment, the satellite reached a maximum distance of only 860 feet from the orbiter instead of the planned 12.5 miles because of a jammed tether line. After numerous attempts over several days to free the tether, TSS operations were curtailed, and the satellite was stowed for return to Earth. It would be reflown in 1996 on STS-75.

Total Mass: 12,164.0 kg
Low Earth Orbit

Location

LC-39B, Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA

Stats

1992

50th orbital launch attempt

Space Shuttle

49th mission
5th mission of 1992
48th successful mission
24th consecutive successful mission