STS-61-J was a canceled launch of NASA Space Shuttle Atlantis, planned for August 1986 to launch the Hubble Space Telescope.[1][2] It was canceled due to the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster earlier in the year.[2][3] The crew members were to be John W. Young, Charles F. Bolden Jr., Bruce McCandless II, Steven A. Hawley, and Kathryn D. Sullivan. All of the crew members except John Young, who was reassigned to an administrative position, later flew on the STS-31 mission. Young was replaced by Loren J. Shriver for STS-31.[4][5]

STS-61-J
NamesSpace Transportation System
Mission typeHubble Space Telescope deployment
OperatorNASA
Mission duration5 days (planned)
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftSpace Shuttle Atlantis (planned)
Crew
Crew size5 (planned)
Members
Start of mission
Launch dateAugust 1986 (planned)
RocketSpace Shuttle Atlantis
Launch siteKennedy Space Center, LC-39
ContractorRockwell International
Orbital parameters
Reference systemGeocentric orbit (planned)
RegimeLow Earth orbit
Perigee altitude613 km (381 mi)
Apogee altitude615 km (382 mi)
Inclination28.45°
Period96.70 minutes

Space Shuttle patch
← STS-51-L (25)
STS-26 →
Cancelled Shuttle missions

Crew

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Position Astronaut
Commander John W. Young
Would have been seventh spaceflight
Pilot Charles F. Bolden Jr.
Would have been second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 1 Bruce McCandless II
Would have been second spaceflight
Mission Specialist 2 Steven A. Hawley
Would have been third spaceflight
Mission Specialist 3 Kathryn D. Sullivan
Would have been second spaceflight

References

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  1. ^ "STS-61-J". astronautix.com. Archived from the original on 28 December 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  2. ^ a b Gainor, Christopher (2020). "Not Yet Imagined - A study of Hubble Space Telescope Operations" (PDF). NASA. p. 432. Retrieved 30 January 2022.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  3. ^ Goodman, John L.; Walker, Stephen R. (4 February 2009). "Hubble Servicing Challenges Drive Innovation of Shuttle Rendezvous Techniques" (PDF). NASA. p. 3. Retrieved 8 July 2021.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  4. ^ Janson, Bette; NASA; Scientific and Technical Information Division (1 March 1988). Ritchie, Eleanor H.; Saegesser, Lee D. (eds.). Astronautics and Aeronautics, 1985: A Chronology (PDF). Washington, D.C.: United States Government Printing Office, NASA. p. 282. Archived (PDF) from the original on 7 December 2022.   This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
  5. ^ "Spaceflight mission report: STS-31". SpaceFacts.