NASA - STS-54Follow 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-54 Mission: TDRS-F; DXS Space Shuttle: Endeavour Launch Pad: 39B Launched: January 13, 1993, 8:59:30 a.m. EST Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida Landing: January 19, 1993, 8:37:49 a.m. EST Runway: 33 Rollout Distance: 8,724 feet Rollout Time: 49 seconds Revolution: 96 Mission Duration: 5 days 23 hours 38 minutes 19 seconds Orbit Altitude: 165 nautical miles Orbit Inclination: 28.45 degrees Crew Members Image above: STS-54 Crew photo with Commander John H. Casper, Pilot Donald R. McMonagle, Mission Specialists Mario Runco, Jr., Gregory J. Harbaugh and Susan J. Helms. Image Credit: NASA Mission Highlights The primary payload was the fifth Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS-F) which was deployed on day one of the mission. It was later successfully transferred to its proper orbit by the Inertial Upper Stage booster. Also carried into orbit in the payload bay was a Hitchhiker experiment called the Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS). This instrument collected data on X-ray radiation from diffuse sources in deep space. Other middeck payloads to test the effects of microgravity included the Commercial General Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGPA) for-life sciences research; the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space Experiment (CHROMEX) to-study plant growth; the Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE) to examine the skeletal system and the adaptation of bone to space flight; the Space Acceleration Measurement Equipment (SAMS) to measure and record the microgravity acceleration environment of middeck experiments; and the Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE) to measure the rate of flame spread and temperature of burning filter paper. Also, on day five, mission specialists Mario Runco and Greg Harbaugh spent nearly 5 hours in the open cargo bay performing a series of space-walking tasks designed to increase NASA's knowledge of working in space. They tested their abilities to move about freely in the cargo bay, climb into foot restraints without using their hands and simulated carrying large objects in the microgravity environment. 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: March 31, 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