Atlantis Launches STS-44 Mission
November 24th, 1991
November 24th, 1991

How Long Ago?
33 years, 3 months, 19 days ago
Location
Kennedy Space Center, Florida, USA
Category
Space Exploration
People
- Charles D. Gemar
- Jerry L. Ross
- John M. Lounge
- Robert A. Cabana
- Frank L. Culbertson Jr.
- Mark C. Lee
Links & References
Tags
Atlantis Launches STS-44 Mission
Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-44 to deploy a classified payload for the U.S. Department of Defense. Liftoff occurred from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking another vital operation during the shuttle program. The mission aimed to enhance U.S. military capabilities in space, with a focus on developing technologies crucial to national security. Atlantis successfully orbited Earth on a two-day mission, maintaining a pivotal role in strategic military satellite deployment.
Launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida
Mission lasted over four days in low Earth orbit
Deployed a classified military satellite payload
Part of NASA's strategic military collaboration
What Happened?
The Space Shuttle Atlantis launched on mission STS-44 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, embarking on a critical mission primarily focused on the U.S. Department of Defense's satellite program. Scheduled for November 24, 1991, the mission was significant as it involved deploying a classified payload that would support military operations and enhance national security capabilities in space. Atlantis lifted off at 11:30 AM EST, marking the shuttle's 13th mission and contributing to a significant trajectory for U.S. military operations in space during a time of heightened global tension following the Cold War.
The STS-44 mission spanned a duration of 4 days, 10 hours, and 32 minutes in low Earth orbit, allowing the crew to conduct extensive checks and tests on the deployed satellite. With a primary industry role and objectives cloaked in secrecy, Atlantis's mission underscored the increasing reliance on space technologies for defense purposes. The shuttle deployed the Department of Defense's payload into a proper orbit, reinforcing the necessity of access to space for both reconnaissance and communication. As the shuttle returned and successfully landed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, it marked another achievement in maintaining and advancing U.S. space capabilities.
The STS-44 mission was part of the larger Space Shuttle program which operated from 1981 to 2011, designed to enable different types of missions—scientific research, satellite deployment, and international collaborations in space exploration. This effort reflected the shifting priorities in U.S. space strategy moving into the 1990s and laid the groundwork for future military and civilian space endeavors. Conducted under the auspices of NASA with collaborations from various military branches, STS-44 demonstrated the utility of the shuttle as a versatile platform critical to U.S. strategic interests in space.
Why Does it Matter?
The STS-44 mission is interesting because it illustrates the dual-use nature of space exploration during a pivotal time in U.S. defense strategy. It also showcased the importance of the Space Shuttle program as an operational tool for national security. The mission's success contributed to an evolving understanding of space's critical role in military operations, influencing defense policy and systems employed in the following decades.
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