Mostly Your Knees: Remembering STS-9, OTD in 1983

By Ben Evans, on November 28th, 2020

OTD in 1983, Columbia launched Spacelab-1, a precursor for today’s @Space_Station. And STS-9 CDR John Young’s knees were knocking all the way uphill. […]

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Barn Burner: Remembering the Record-Setting Return of Atlantis, OTD in 1985

By Ben Evans, on November 26th, 2020

As America celebrates #Thanksgiving, @AmericaSpace looks back at the 1st shuttle crew to celebrate the holiday, OTD in 1985. […]

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'The Worst Coffee': Remembering Columbia's Return on STS-28, Thirty Years On (Part 2)

By Ben Evans, on August 12th, 2019

Columbia roars to orbit on 8 August 1989, beginning the first flight of her post-Challenger career. Photo Credit: NASA

Thirty years ago, this month, Space Shuttle Columbia returned to flight, following a three-year down time in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster. Aboard STS-28 for a five-day flight were Commander Brewster Shaw, Pilot Dick […]

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'Off to a Good Start': Remembering Columbia's Return on STS-28, Thirty Years On (Part 1)

By Ben Evans, on August 5th, 2019

Columbia touches down at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on 13 August 1989, to wrap up her first mission after the Challenger tragedy. Photo Credit: NASA

Astronaut Dick Richards was five weeks from his first launch into space when the Challenger disaster snatched the opportunity from him. In January 1985, Richards had been named […]

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'Barn Burner': 30 Years Since the Spacewalking Spectacular of Mission 61B (Part 2)

By Ben Evans, on November 22nd, 2015

In addition to a pair of spectacular EVAs by Jerry Ross and Woody Spring, Mission 61B deployed three satellites and carried Mexico’s first national astronaut into space. Photo Credit: NASA, via Joachim Becker/SpaceFacts.de

Thirty years ago, next week, Atlantis rocketed into orbit on her second mission, just 50 days after wrapping up her […]

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'Your Big Chance': 30 Years Since the Spacewalking Spectacular of Mission 61B (Part 1)

By Ben Evans, on November 21st, 2015

In the earliest EVA demonstration of building a space station, Jerry Ross and Woody Spring assemble the EASE tetrahedron in Atlantis’ payload bay. Their flight, Mission 61B, began 30 years ago, next week. Photo Credit: NASA, via Joachim Becker/SpaceFacts.de

Thirty years ago, next week, something unprecedented in the entire history of the shuttle […]

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On Opposing Sides of Tragedy: Remembering Atlantis on 30th Anniversary of Maiden Flight (Part 3)

By Ben Evans, on October 5th, 2015

Jerry Ross participates in the assembly of the EASE and ACCESS structures on Mission 61B in the fall of 1985. Ross became the first person to fly Atlantis twice and three times and is the only human to have flown her on as many as five occasions. Photo Credit: NASA, via Joachim Becker/SpaceFacts.de

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'The Worst Tasting Coffee': 25 Years Since the Secret Mission of STS-28 (Part 2)

By Ben Evans, on August 10th, 2014

Columbia rockets into orbit on the first (and only) wholly classified mission of her career. Photo Credit: NASA

Twenty-five years ago, this week, the Shuttle Columbia returned to flight, following a three-year down time in the aftermath of the Challenger disaster. Aboard STS-28 for a five-day flight were Commander Brewster Shaw, Pilot Dick […]

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'Constrained Arrangement': 25 Years Since the Secret Mission of STS-28 (Part 1)

By Ben Evans, on August 9th, 2014

Pictured during her rollout to Pad 39B, Columbia was embarking on her first flight since the Challenger disaster. Photo Credit: Joachim Becker/SpaceFacts.de

Astronaut Dick Richards was five weeks from his first launch into space when the Challenger disaster cruelly snatched the opportunity from him. In January 1985, Richards had been named as Jon […]

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