STS-27 Fact Sheet

By Cliff Lethbridge

STS-27 — Atlantis

27th Space Shuttle Mission

3rd Flight of Atlantis

Crew:

Robert L. Gibson, Commander

Guy S. Gardner, Pilot

Richard M. Mullane, Mission Specialist

Jerry L. Ross, Mission Specialist

William M. Shepherd, Mission Specialist

Orbiter Preparations:

Tow to Orbiter Processing Facility – March 20, 1987

Rollover to Vehicle Assembly Building – October 22, 1988

Rollout to Launch Pad 39B – November 2, 1988

Launch:

December 2, 1988 – 9:30:34 a.m. EST. Launch was originally set for December 1, 1988 but was postponed due to unacceptable cloud cover and wind conditions. December 2 launch time was not made public until T-9 minutes and counting.

Landing:

December 6, 1988 – 3:36:11 p.m. PST at Runway 17, Edwards Air Force Base, California. Rollout distance was 7,123 feet. Rollout time was 43 seconds. Mission duration was 4 days, 9 hours, 5 minutes, 37 seconds. Landing occurred during the 69th orbit.

Mission Summary:

This was the third dedicated Department of Defense mission in the Space Shuttle program. Mission elements were kept secret.

SELECTED NASA PHOTOS FROM STS-27