STS-79 Mission Summary
Launch
Sept. 16, 1996,
4:54:49 a.m. EDT
Launch originally set for July 31 slipped when mission managers decided
to switch out Atlantis twin solid rocket boosters. STS-79 boosters assembled
using same new adhesive as boosters flown on previous mission, STS-78,
in which hot gas path into J-joints of motor field joints was observed
post-retrieval. Although managers concluded original STS-79 boosters were
safe to fly, they decided to replace them with a set slated for STS-80
that used original adhesive. Booster changeout took place after Atlantis
was already back in Vehicle Assembly Building due to threat from Hurricane
Bertha. New launch date of Sept. 12 targeted and Atlantis returned to
pad. Launch date delayed to Sept. 16 when Shuttle was returned to VAB
due to threat from Hurricane Fran, marking first time Shuttle rolled back
twice in single processing flow due to hurricane threats. Countdown proceeded
smoothly to ontime liftoff Sept. 16. Approximately 13 minutes into flight,
auxiliary power unit no. 2 down prematurely. After review and analysis,
Mission Management Team concluded mission could proceed to nominal end-of-mission
as planned.
Landing
Sept. 26, 1996,
8:13:15 a.m. EDT
Runway 15, Kennedy Space Center, Fla. . Rollout distance: 10,981 feet
(3,347 meters). Rollout time: one minute, two seconds. Mission duration:
ten days, 3 hours, 18 minutes, 26 seconds. Landed revolution 160, on first
opportunity at KSC. Lucid able to walk off orbiter into Crew Transport
Vehicle with assistance, and later the same day received congratulatory
call from President Clinton.
Crew
List
William
F. Readdy, Commander
Terrence
W. Wilcutt, Pilot
Thomas
D. Akers, Mission Specialist
Jay Apt,
Mission Specialist
Carl
E. Walz, Mission Specialist
NASA-3
Arrival
John
E. Blaha, Mission Specialist
NASA-2
Departure
Shannon
W. Lucid, Mission Specialist
Crew
Biographies
Mission
Highlights
