"6_2_2_3_6.TXT" (1452 bytes) was created on 01-02-89

STS-5

STS-5, the first operational mission, also carried the largest crew
up to that time -- four astronauts -- and the first two commercial
communications satellites to be flown.

        The fifth launch of the orbiter Columbia took place at 7:19 a.m.
EST, Nov. ll, l982.  It was the second on-schedule launch.  The crew
included Vance Brand, commander; Robert F. Overmyer, pilot; and the
first mission specialists to fly the Shuttle -- Joseph P. Allen and
William B. Lenoir.

        The two communications satellites were deployed successfully and
subsequently propelled into their operational geosynchronous orbits
by booster rockets.  Both were Hughes-built HS-376 series satellites
-- SBS-3 owned by Satellite Business Systems, and Anik owned by
Telesat of Canada.  In addition to the first commercial satellite
cargo, the flight carried a West German-sponsored microgravity GAS
experiment canister in the payload bay.  The crew also conducted
three student experiments during the flight.

        A planned spacewalk by the two mission specialists had to be
cancelled -- it would have been the first for the Shuttle program --
when the two space suits that were to be used developed problems.

        Columbia landed on Runway 22, at Edwards AFB, on Nov. 16, l982, at
6:33 a.m. PST, having traveled 2 million miles in 8l orbits during a
mission that lasted 5 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes and 26 seconds.
Columbia was returned to KSC on Nov. 22.