STS-2 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Columbia, that launched on November 12, 1981 . This was the second space shuttle mission, and was also the second mission for Columbia. It was thus the first time ever that a manned reusable spacecraft left the earth for its second mission and returned to space.
In the early planning stages of the Shuttle Program, STS-2 was the designated Skylab reboost mission. However, delays wit...
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STS-2 was a space shuttle mission by NASA using the Space Shuttle Columbia, that launched on November 12, 1981 . This was the second space shuttle mission, and was also the second mission for Columbia. It was thus the first time ever that a manned reusable spacecraft left the earth for its second mission and returned to space.
In the early planning stages of the Shuttle Program, STS-2 was the designated Skylab reboost mission. However, delays with the development and the deteriorating orbit of Skylab made the mission impossible. By the time STS-2 was launched, Skylab had long since de-orbited.
Engle had been the original selection as Lunar Module Pilot for Apollo 17, but was bumped in favor of "Jack" Schmitt when it became clear that it would be the last lunar landing. As a consequence, both Engle and Truly were rookies during this mission (Engle had flown the X-15 above 80 km and so had earned USAF astronaut wings, but was still considered a NASA rookie), the first all rookie crew...
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