25th anniversary of Challenger's first flight

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Topic: 25th anniversary of Challenger's first flight

Mr Meek
Member

Posts: 353
From: Chattanooga, TN
Registered: Dec 2007

posted 04-04-2008 11:49 AM

April 4th is a notable day for many reasons; but 25 years ago today, Challenger lifted off for the first time from Pad 39A. Do yourself a favor and look up images from that mission. For me, the newness of everything is striking. The shuttle is a crisp white, without the slightly baked look that 20 years of active service have given the current fleet.

More than anything, though, you see the optimism of a program still in its infancy. STS-6 was one of the first 'real' missions, deploying the first of the TDRS satellites, and setting up the infrastructure of the system we all enjoy today.

If you'd like to see images from the mission, I've been browsing here.

Ben
Member

Posts: 1896
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: May 2000

posted 04-04-2008 12:19 PM

Some old STS-6 press shots on William Hartenstein's website, his first launch.

Also of note, today is the 40th anniversary of Apollo 6.

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