NASA - STS-34Follow this link to skip to the main contentNASA - National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration› Follow this link to Login to MyNASALog In 
To MyNASA|› Sign UpHomeNewsNews & FeaturesRecovery InformationShuttle & 
  StationMoon & MarsSolar SystemUniverseAeronauticsEarthTechnologyNASA in Your 
  LifeNASA PeopleNASA HistoryMissionsMissionsMission CalendarLaunch 
ScheduleMultimediaMultimediaImagesVideoPodcastsNASA TVInteractive Features3D 
  ResourcesRSS 
  FeedsBlogsWorldbook@NASAConnectBlogsRSSTwitterFacebookYouTubeFlickriTunesMore 
  Social Media ...About NASAAbout NASAWhat NASA DoesRecovery InformationNASA 
  LeadershipCareers@NASANASA LocationsNASA CalendarBudget and 
  PerformanceReportsResearch OpportunitiesRequest a NASA SpeakerRequest a NASA 
  ExhibitNASA Home    >    Missions    >    Space Shuttle    >    Shuttle 
  Missions    >    Archives

    SendPrintFollow this link to Share This PageShare
MissionsMissions HighlightsCurrent MissionsCurrent Missions
    Space Shuttle
      Shuttle Missions
        Archives
      Behind the Scenes
      Launch & Landing
      Multimedia
      News & Media Resources
      Vehicle Structure

Past MissionsFuture MissionsLaunch ScheduleMission Calendar
People Who Read This Also Read...Space Shuttle
Mission ArchivesText SizeGrow Text SizeShrink Text Size
STS-34 Mission: Galileo; Shuttle Solar Backscatter Ultraviolet Experiment
Space Shuttle: Atlantis
Launch Pad: 39B 
Launch Weight: 257,569 pounds
Launched: October 18, 1989, 12:53:40 p.m. EDT
Landing Site: Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
Landing: October 23, 1989, 9:33:01 a.m. PDT
Landing Weight: 195,954 pounds
Runway: 23 
Rollout Distance: 9,677 feet
Rollout Time: 60 seconds
Revolution: 79
Mission Duration: 4 days, 23 hours, 39 minutes, 21 seconds
Returned to KSC: October 29, 1989
Orbit Altitude: 185 nautical miles
Orbit Inclination: 34.3 degrees
Miles Traveled: 2 million 

Crew Members

                    

Image above: STS-34 Crew photo with Commander Donald E. Williams, Pilot Michael 
J. McCulley, Mission Specialists Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Shannon W. Lucid and 
Ellen S. Baker. Image Credit: NASA 

Launch Highlights

 The launch set for October 12 was rescheduled due to a faulty main engine 
controller on number the two main engine. The launch set for October 17 was 
rescheduled due to weather constraints for a return-to-launch-site landing at 
KSC's Shuttle Landing Facility.


Mission Highlights

The primary payload, Galileo/Jupiter spacecraft and attached Inertial Upper 
Stage (IUS), was deployed six hours, 30 minutes into the flight. IUS stages 
fired, placing Galileo on trajectory for six-year trip to Jupiter via 
gravitational boosts from Venus and Earth and possible observational brushes 
with asteroids Gaspra and Ida. Secondary payloads included Shuttle Solar 
Backscatter Ultraviolet (SSBUV) experiment carried in cargo bay, and in crew 
cabin, Growth Hormone Crystal Distribution (GHCD); Polymer Morphology (PM), 
Sensor Technology Experiment (STEX); Mesoscale Lightning Experiment (MLE); IMAX 
camera; Shuttle Student Involvement Program (SSIP) experiment that investigated 
ice crystal formation in zero gravity; and ground-based Air Force Maui Optical 
Site (AMOS) experiment. 

  NASA's John F. Kennedy Space Center
  Related Sites
  > NASA's Orbiter Fleet
  > NASA's Launch Schedule
  > Shuttle Reference Manual
  > Shuttle Archives 
 › Back To Top NASA HomePage Last Updated: February 18, 2010 
Page Editor: Jeanne Ryba 
NASA Official: Brian DunbarBudgets, Strategic Plans and Accountability Reports
  Equal Employment Opportunity Data Posted Pursuant to the No Fear Act
  Information-Dissemination Policies and Inventories
  Freedom of Information Act
  Privacy Policy & Important Notices
  NASA Advisory Council
  Inspector General Hotline
  Office of the Inspector General
  NASA Communications Policy
  Contact NASA
  Site Map
  USA.gov
  ExpectMore.gov
  Open Government at NASA
  Help and Preferences