STS-41-B was the third flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger and took place in 1984. The mission was launched on February 3 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and was notable for several advanced tasks that contributed to the understanding and development of space exploration. The crew, which consisted of Commander Donald Williams, Pilot Michael McGuire, Mission Specialist 1 Bruce McCandless, Mission Specialist 2 Rick A. Chappell, and Payload Specialist Charles D. Walker, undertook a series of operations to demonstrate various technologies and procedures.

One of the most remarkable achievements during STS-41-B was Bruce McCandless's extravehicular activity (EVA), where he became the first person to fly freely in space using the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU). This event symbolized a leap forward in human capability in microgravity environments, allowing astronauts the freedom to maneuver without being tethered to the spacecraft. The mission also deployed the second Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS), an essential component of NASA's communication network that supported both shuttle missions and satellite operations.

The STS-41-B mission further solidified the role of the Space Shuttle as a vehicle for significant scientific, technological, and logistical operations in orbit. The insights gained from the EVA and satellite deployment contributed to strategies that improved the safety and efficiency of subsequent missions, highlighting the evolving complexity and ambition of NASA's goals at the time. The successful deployment of TDRS communications technology was particularly crucial, enabling more reliable communication for future missions, including those destined for the International Space Station.