"6_2_2_4.TXT" (984 bytes) was created on 01-02-89

STS 51-C

        Discovery was to make its third flight in January 1985 to conduct
the first mission totally dedicated to the Department of Defense.
The classified payload was deployed successfully and boosted into its
operating orbit by an Inertial Upper Stage (IUS) booster according to
an Air Force announcement.

        The launch occurred on Jan. 24, 1985, at 2:40 p.m. EST -- the first
of 10 Shuttle missions that year.  It was originally scheduled for
Jan. 23, but was delayed because of freezing weather conditions.
Challenger had been scheduled for this flight, but Discovery was
substituted when thermal tile problems were encountered with
Challenger.

        The 51-C included Thomas K. Mattingly, commander; Loren J. Shriver,
pilot; two mission specialists, James F. Buchli and Ellison S.
Onizuka; and Gary E. Payton, a payload specialist.

        The mission lasted 3 days, 1 hour, 33 minutes.  Discovery touched
down on Runway 15 at KSC on Jan. 27 at 4:23 p.m. EST.