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| October 30, 1985 Launch of STS-61A Challenger |
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In 1985, Space Shuttle Challenger was launched on flight STS-61A with a record eight astronauts, including 2 Germans and 1 Dutch. Challenger carried Spacelab D-1 in its cargo bay for West Germany materials processing experiments. Spacelab D-1 encompassed 75 numbered experiments, most performed more than once. The crew conducted basic and applied microgravity research in fields of materials science, life sciences and technology, and communications and navigation. Though the orbiter was controlled from Johnson Space Center, the scientific operations were controlled from German Space Operations Center at Oberpfaffenhofen, near Munich. The orbiter landed November 6, 1985 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. Visit NASA Shuttle Missions for more information.
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