STS-33 Fact Sheet

By Cliff Lethbridge

STS-33 — Discovery

32nd Space Shuttle Mission

9th Flight of Discovery

Crew:

Frederick D. Gregory, Commander

John E. Blaha, Pilot

F. Story Musgrave, Mission Specialist

Kathryn C. Thornton, Mission Specialist

Manley L. Carter, Jr., Mission Specialist

Orbiter Preparations:

Tow to Orbiter Processing Facility – August 20, 1989

Rollover to Vehicle Assembly Building – October 5, 1989

Rollout to Launch Pad 39B – October 27, 1989

Launch:

November 22, 1989 – 7:23:30 p.m. EST. November 20, 1989 launch attempt was rescheduled to allow changeout of suspect integrated electronics assemblies on Discovery’s two solid rocket boosters. November 22 launch time was not made public until T-9 minutes and counting.

Landing:

November 27, 1989 – 4:30:18 p.m. PST at Runway 4, Edwards Air Force Base, California. Rollout distance was 7,764 feet. Rollout time was 46 seconds. Mission duration was 5 days, 0 hours, 6 minutes, 48 seconds. Landing occurred during the 79th orbit.

Mission Summary:

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

SELECTED NASA PHOTOS FROM STS-33