STS-51B / Challenger Patch
First operational flight for laboratory development by the European Space Agency. Of the 15 experiments scheduled aboard Spacelab 3, 14 were successful. First time animals were flown with flight crew. Two monkeys and 24 rodents were observed during mission for effects of weightlessness. Mission's main objective was to provide high quality microgravity environment for delicate materials processing and fluid experiments. Landed at Edwards Air Force Base, CA on May 6 at 12:11 PM EDT. Flight duration seven days plus eight minutes. Space Shuttle Challenger traveled 2.89 million miles in 111 orbits. Patch description: The Space Shuttle Discovery and its science module payload are featured in the insignia for the STS-51B / Spacelab-3 mission. The seven stars of the constellation Pegasus surround the orbiting spacehip above the flag draped Earth. Surnames of the seven crewmembers encircle the scene. The artwork was done by Carol Ann Lind. 4" diameter embroidered patch. Availability: Usually ships within one business day.
|