STS-41-B was the tenth space shuttle mission, and the fourth flight for Challenger. Following STS-9, the flight numbering system for Space Shuttle missions was changed. Thus, the next flight, instead of being designated STS-11, became STS 41-B. STS-10 was cancelled due to payload delays.
The mission was the fourth flight of the Challenger. Liftoff occurred at 8 a.m. EST, on 3 February 1984. Two communications satellites were deployed about 8 hour...
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STS-41-B was the tenth space shuttle mission, and the fourth flight for Challenger. Following STS-9, the flight numbering system for Space Shuttle missions was changed. Thus, the next flight, instead of being designated STS-11, became STS 41-B. STS-10 was cancelled due to payload delays.
The mission was the fourth flight of the Challenger. Liftoff occurred at 8 a.m. EST, on 3 February 1984. Two communications satellites were deployed about 8 hours after launch. One was for Western Union (WESTAR) and the other for Indonesia (Palapa B-2). However, the Payload Assist Modules (PAM) for both satellites malfunctioned placing them into a lower than planned orbit. Both satellites were retrieved successfully the following November during STS-51-A, the 14th mission, by the orbiter Discovery.
The STS 41-B crew included commander Vance D. Brand, making his second Shuttle flight; pilot Robert L. Gibson; and mission specialists, Bruce McCandless II, Ronald E. McNair and Robert L. Stewart.
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