part5

National Space Transportation System - Overview, September 1988

CHRONOLOGY

1972

.

Jan. 5

President Nixon proposes development of a reusable space transportation system, the Space Shuttle.

March 15

NASA selects the three-part configuration for the Space Shuttle -- reusable orbiter, partly reusable SRB and an expendable external tank.

Aug. 9

Rockwell receives NASA contract for construction of the Space Shuttle orbiter.

.

1975

.

Oct. 17

First Space Shuttle main engine tested at the National Space Technology Laboratories, Miss.

Sept. 17

Rollout of orbiter Enterprise (OV-101).

.

1976

.

July 18

Thiokol conducts 2-minute firing of an SRB at Brigham City, Utah.

Aug. 12

First free flight Approach and Landing Test (ALT) of orbiter Enterprise from Shuttle carrier aircraft at Dryden Flight Research Center, Calif. Flight duration: 5 minutes, 21 seconds. Landing occurred on Runway 17.

Sept. 13

Second Enterprise ALT flight of 5 minutes, 28 seconds; landing on Runway 15. (Three more ALT flights were flown by Enterprise on Sept. 23 Oct. 12 and Oct. 25.)

.

1978

.

Jan. 18

Thiokol conducts second test firing of an SRB.

.

1979

.

March 8

Orbiter Columbia (OV-102) transported 38 miles overland from Palmdale to Dryden Flight Research Center.

March 20-24

Columbia flown on Shuttle carrier aircraft to Kennedy Space Center with overnight stops at El Paso and San Antonio, Texas, and Eglin AFB, Fla.

June 15

First SRB qualification test firing; 122 seconds.

.

1980

.

Nov. 26

Columbia mated to SRBs and external tank at Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for STS-1 mission.

Dec. 29

Space Shuttle vehicle moved from VAB to Launch Complex 39A for STS-1 mission.

.

1981

.

Feb. 20

Flight readiness firing of Columbia's main engines; 20 seconds.

April 12-14

STS-1, First flight [this was left out in the original document!; Chris Gamble, html editor]

April 20-21

Columbia resumed to KSC by Shuttle carrier aircraft via Tinker AFB, Okla.

Aug. 4

Columbia mated with SRBs and external tank for STS-2 mission.

Aug. 26

Space Shuttle vehicle moved to Launch Complex 39A for STS-2 mission.

Nov. 12-14

STS-2, first flight of an orbiter previously flown in space

Nov. 24-25

Columbia transported back to KSC via Bergstrom AFB, Texas.

Dec. 11

Spacelab 1 arrives at KSC.

1982

.

Feb. 3

Columbia moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-3 mission.

Feb. 16

Assembled Space Shuttle vehicle moved from VAB to launch pad for STS-3 mission.

March 22-30

STS-3 mission; landing at White Sands, N.M.

April 6

Columbia resumed to KSC from White Sands.

May 16

Columbia moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-4.

May 25

STS-4 vehicle moved to launch pad.

June 27-July 4

STS-4 mission flown; first concrete runway landing at Edwards AFB.

June 30

Orbiter Challenger (OV-099) rolled out at Palmdale.

July 1

Challenger moved overland to Dryden.

July 4-5

Challenger flown to KSC via Ellington AFB, Texas.

July 14-15

Columbia flown to KSC via Dyess AFB, Texas.

Sept. 9

Columbia mated with SRBs and external tank in preparation for STS-5.

Sept. 21

STS-5 vehicle moved to launch pad.

Nov. 11- 16

STS-5 mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

Nov. 21-22

Columbia resumed to KSC via Kelly AFB, Texas

Nov. 23

Challenger moved to VAB and mated for STS-6.

Nov. 30

STS-6 vehicle moved to launch pad.

Dec. 18

Flight readiness firing of Challenger's main engines; 20 seconds.

.

1983

.

Jan. 22

Second night readiness firing of Challenger's main engines; 22 seconds.

April 4-9

STS-6 mission, first flight of Challenger.

May 21

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-7 mission.

May 26

Challenger moved to launch pad for STS-7.

June 18-24

STS-7 mission flown with landing at Edwards AFB.

July 26

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-8.

June 28-29

Challenger flown back to KSC via Kelly AFB.

Aug. 2

STS-8 vehicle moved to launch pad.

Aug. 30-Sept. 5

STS-8 mission; first night launch and landing at Edwards AFB.

Sep. 9

Challenger resumed to KSC via Sheppard AFB, Texas.

Sept. 23

Columbia moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-9.

Sept. 28

STS-9 vehicle moved to launch pad.

Oct. 17

STS-9 launch vehicle moved back to VAB from pad because of SRB nozzle problem.

Oct. 19

Columbia moved to Orbiter Processing Facility.

Nov. 5

Orbiter Discovery (OV-103) moved overland to Dryden.

Nov. 6

Discovery transported to Vandenberg AFB, Calif.

Nov. 8

STS-9 vehicle again moved to launch pad.

Nov. 8-9

Discovery flown from Vandenberg AFB to KSC via Carswell AFB, Texas.

Nov. 28-Dec. 8

STS-9 mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

Dec. 14-15

Columbia flown to KSC via El Paso, Kelly AFB and Eglin AFB.

1984

.

Jan. 6

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation of STS 41 B mission.

Jan. 11

STS 41-B vehicle moved to launch pad.

Feb. 3-11

STS 41-B mission; first landing at KSC.

March 14

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 41 -C mission.

March 19

STS 41-C vehicle moved to launch pad.

April 6-13

STS 41-C mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

April 17-18

Challenger flown back to KSC via Kelly AFB.

May 12

Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 41-D.

May 19

STS 41-D vehicle moved to launch pad.

June 2

Flight readiness firing of Discovery's main engines.

June 25

STS 41-D launch attempt scrubbed because of computer problem.

June 26

STS 41-D launch attempt scrubbed following main engine shutdown at T minus 4 seconds.

July 14

STS 41-D vehicle moved back to VAB for remanifest of payloads.

Aug. 9

STS 41-D vehicle again moved out to the launch pad.

Aug. 30-Sept. 5

STS 41-D mission; first flight of Discovery; landing at Edwards AFB.

Sept. 8

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 41-G mission.

Sept. 9-10

Discovery resumed to KSC via Altus AFB, Okla.

Sept. 13

STS 41-G launch vehicle moved to launch pad.

Oct. 5-13

STS 41-G mission; landing at KSC.

Oct. 18

Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-A mission.

Oct. 23

STS 51-A launch vehicle moved to launch pad.

Nov. 7

STS 51-A launch scrubbed because of high shear winds.

Nov. 8-16

STS 51-A mission; landing at KSC.

1985

.

Jan. 5

Discovery moved to launch pad for STS 51-C mission.

Jan. 24-27

STS 51-C mission landing at KSC.

Feb. 10

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-E mission.

Feb. 15

STS 51-E vehicle moved to launch pad.

March 4

STS 51-E vehicle rolled back to VAB; mission cancelled; payloads combined with STS 51-B.

March 23

Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-D mission.

March 28

STS 51-D vehicle moved to launch pad.

April 6

Atlantis (OV-104) rollout at Palmdale.

April 10

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-B mission.

April 12-19

STS 51-D mission; landing at KSC.

April 13

Atlantis ferried to KSC via Ellington AFB, Texas.

April 15

Challenger moved to launch pad for 51-B mission.

April 29-May 6

STS 51-B mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

May 10

Challenger transported back to KSC via Kelly AFB.

May 28

Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-G.

June 4

STS 51-G vehicle moved to the launch pad.

June 17-24

STS 51-G mission; landing Edwards AFB.

June 24

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-F.

June 28

Discovery ferried back to KSC via Bergstrom AFB, Texas.

June 29

STS 51 -F vehicle moved to the launch pad.

July 11

Refurbished Columbia moved overland from Palmdale to Dryden.

July 12

STS 51 -F launch scrubbed at T-minus 3 seconds because of main engine shutdown.

July 14

Columbia resumed to KSC via Offutt AFB, Neb.

July 29-Aug. 6

STS 51 -F mission landing at Edwards AFB.

July 30

Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-I mission.

Aug. 6

STS 51-I vehicle moved to the launch pad.

Aug. 10-11

Challenger flown to KSC via Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; Kelly AFB; and Eglin AFB.

Aug. 24

STS 51 -I mission scrubbed at T minus 5 minutes because of bad weather.

Aug. 25

STS 51-I mission scrubbed at T-minus 9 minutes because of an onboard computer problem.

Aug. 27-Sept. 3

STS 51-I mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

August 29

Atlantis moved to launch pad for the 51 -J mission.

Sept. 7-8

Discovery flown back to KSC via Kelly AFB.

Sept. 12

Flight readiness firing of Atlantis' main engines; 20 seconds.

Oct. 3-7

STS 51-J mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

Oct. 11

Atlantis resumed to KSC via Kelly AFB.

Oct. 12

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for the STS 61-A mission.

1985 continued

.

Oct. 16

Challenger vehicle moved to the launch pad for STS 61-A mission.

Oct. 30-Nov. 6

STS 61-A mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

Nov. 8

Atlantis moved to VAB for mating in preparation for the STS 61-B.

Nov. 10-11

Challenger flown back to KSC via Davis-Monthan AFB, Kelly AFB and Eglin AFB.

Nov. 12

STS 61-B vehicle moved to the launch pad.

Nov. 18

Enterprise (OV-101) flown from KSC to Dulles Airport, Washington, D.C., and fumed over to the Smithsonian Institution.

Nov. 22

Columbia moved to the VAB for mating in preparation STS 61-C.

Nov. 26-Dec. 3

STS 61 -B mission landing at Edwards AFB.

Dec.1

STS 61-C vehicle moved to launch pad.

Dec. 7

Atlantis resumed to KSC via Kelly AFB.

Dec. 16

Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for the STS 51-L mission.

Dec. 19

STS 61 -C mission scrubbed at T minus 13 seconds because of SRB auxiliary power unit problem.

Dec. 22

STS 51-L vehicle moved to Launch Pad 39B.

1986

.

Jan. 6

STS 61-C mission scrubbed at T minus 31 seconds because of liquid oxygen valve problem on pad.

Jan. 7

STS 61-C mission scrubbed at T minus 9 minutes because of weather problems at contingency landing sites.

Jan. 10

STS 61-C mission scrubbed T minus 9 minutes because of bad weather at KSC.

Jan. 12-18

STS 61-C mission; landing at Edwards AFB.

Jan. 22-23

Columbia returned to KSC via Davis-Monthan AFB, Kelly AFB and Eglin AFB.

Jan. 27-28

STS 51-L launched from Pad B. Vehicle exploded 1 minute, 13 seconds after liftoff resulting loss of seven crew members.

Feb. 3

President Reagan announced the formation of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident, headed by William P. Rogers, former Secretary of State.

March 24

NASA publishes "Strategy for Safely Returning the Space Shuttle to Flight Status."

May 12

President Reagan appoints Dr. James C. Fletcher NASA Administrator.

July 8

NASA establishes Safety, Reliability Maintainability, and Quality Assurance Office.

July 14

NASA's plan to implement the recommendations of the Rogers commission was submitted to President Reagan.

Aug. 15

President Reagan announced his decision to support a replacement for the Challenger. At the same time, it was announced that NASA no longer would launch commercial satellites, except for those which are Shuttle-unique or have national security or foreign policy implications.

Aug. 22

NASA announced the beginning of a series of tests designed to verify the ignition pressure dynamics of the Space Shuttle solid rocket motor field joint.

Sept. 5

Study contracts were awarded to five aerospace firms for conceptual designs of an alternative or Block II Space Shuttle solid rocket motor.

Sept. 10

Astronaut Bryan O'Connor was named chairman of Space Flight Safety Panel. This panel, with oversight responsibility for all NASA manned space program activities, reports to the Associate Administrator for Safety, Reliability, Maintainability and Quality Assurance.

Oct. 2

After an intensive study, NASA announced the decision to test fire the redesigned solid rocket motor in a horizontal attitude to best simulate the critical conditions on the field joint which failed during the 51-L mission.

Oct. 30

Discovery moved to OPF where more than 200 modifications are accomplished for STS-26 mission.

Nov. 6

Office of the Director, National Space Transportation System, established in the NASA Headquarters Office of Space Flight.

1987

.

July 31

Rockwell International awarded contract to build a fifth orbiter to replace the Challenger.

Aug. 3

Discovery in the Orbital Processing Facility is powered up for STS-26 mission.

1988

.

Mid-Jan.

Main engines are installed in Discovery.

March 28

Stacking of Discovery's SRBs gets underway.

May 28

Stacking of Discovery's SRBs completed.

June 10

SRBs and External Tank are mated.

June 14

The fourth full-duration test firing of the redesigned SRB motor is carried out.

June 21

Discovery rolls over from OPF to the VAB.

July 4

Discovery moved to Launch Pad 39B for STS-26 mission.

Aug. 10

Flight Readiness Firing of Discovery's main engines is conducted successfully.

1972
.
Jan. 5	President Nixon proposes development of a reusable space transportation system, the Space Shuttle.
March 15	NASA selects the three-part configuration for the Space Shuttle -- reusable orbiter, partly reusable SRB and an expendable external tank.
Aug. 9	Rockwell receives NASA contract for construction of the Space Shuttle orbiter.
.
1975
.
Oct. 17	First Space Shuttle main engine tested at the National Space Technology Laboratories, Miss.
Sept. 17	Rollout of orbiter Enterprise (OV-101).
.
1976
.
July 18	Thiokol conducts 2-minute firing of an SRB at Brigham City, Utah.
Aug. 12	First free flight Approach and Landing Test (ALT) of orbiter Enterprise from Shuttle carrier aircraft at Dryden Flight Research Center, Calif. Flight duration: 5 minutes, 21 seconds. Landing occurred on Runway 17.
Sept. 13	Second Enterprise ALT flight of 5 minutes, 28 seconds; landing on Runway 15. (Three more ALT flights were flown by Enterprise on Sept. 23 Oct. 12 and Oct. 25.)
.
1978
.
Jan. 18	Thiokol conducts second test firing of an SRB.
.
1979
.
March 8	Orbiter Columbia (OV-102) transported 38 miles overland from Palmdale to Dryden Flight Research Center.
March 20-24	Columbia flown on Shuttle carrier aircraft to Kennedy Space Center with overnight stops at El Paso and San Antonio, Texas, and Eglin AFB, Fla.
June 15	First SRB qualification test firing; 122 seconds.
.
1980
.
Nov. 26	Columbia mated to SRBs and external tank at Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for STS-1 mission.
Dec. 29	Space Shuttle vehicle moved from VAB to Launch Complex 39A for STS-1 mission.
.
1981
.
Feb. 20	Flight readiness firing of Columbia's main engines; 20 seconds.
April 12-14	STS-1, First flight [this was left out in the original document!; Chris Gamble, html editor]
April 20-21	Columbia resumed to KSC by Shuttle carrier aircraft via Tinker AFB, Okla.
Aug. 4	Columbia mated with SRBs and external tank for STS-2 mission.
Aug. 26	Space Shuttle vehicle moved to Launch Complex 39A for STS-2 mission.
Nov. 12-14	STS-2, first flight of an orbiter previously flown in space
Nov. 24-25	Columbia transported back to KSC via Bergstrom AFB, Texas.
Dec. 11	Spacelab 1 arrives at KSC.

1982
.
Feb. 3	Columbia moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-3 mission.
Feb. 16	Assembled Space Shuttle vehicle moved from VAB to launch pad for STS-3 mission.
March 22-30	STS-3 mission; landing at White Sands, N.M.
April 6	Columbia resumed to KSC from White Sands.
May 16	Columbia moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-4.
May 25	STS-4 vehicle moved to launch pad.
June 27-July 4	STS-4 mission flown; first concrete runway landing at Edwards AFB.
June 30	Orbiter Challenger (OV-099) rolled out at Palmdale.
July 1	Challenger moved overland to Dryden.
July 4-5	Challenger flown to KSC via Ellington AFB, Texas.
July 14-15	Columbia flown to KSC via Dyess AFB, Texas.
Sept. 9	Columbia mated with SRBs and external tank in preparation for STS-5.
Sept. 21	STS-5 vehicle moved to launch pad.
Nov. 11- 16	STS-5 mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
Nov. 21-22	Columbia resumed to KSC via Kelly AFB, Texas
Nov. 23	Challenger moved to VAB and mated for STS-6.
Nov. 30	STS-6 vehicle moved to launch pad.
Dec. 18	Flight readiness firing of Challenger's main engines; 20 seconds.
.
1983
.
Jan. 22	Second night readiness firing of Challenger's main engines; 22 seconds.
April 4-9	STS-6 mission, first flight of Challenger.
May 21	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-7 mission.
May 26	Challenger moved to launch pad for STS-7.
June 18-24	STS-7 mission flown with landing at Edwards AFB.
July 26	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-8.
June 28-29	Challenger flown back to KSC via Kelly AFB.
Aug. 2	STS-8 vehicle moved to launch pad.
Aug. 30-Sept. 5	STS-8 mission; first night launch and landing at Edwards AFB.
Sep. 9	Challenger resumed to KSC via Sheppard AFB, Texas.
Sept. 23	Columbia moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS-9.
Sept. 28	STS-9 vehicle moved to launch pad.
Oct. 17	STS-9 launch vehicle moved back to VAB from pad because of SRB nozzle problem.
Oct. 19	Columbia moved to Orbiter Processing Facility.
Nov. 5	Orbiter Discovery (OV-103) moved overland to Dryden.
Nov. 6	Discovery transported to Vandenberg AFB, Calif.
Nov. 8	STS-9 vehicle again moved to launch pad.
Nov. 8-9	Discovery flown from Vandenberg AFB to KSC via Carswell AFB, Texas.
Nov. 28-Dec. 8	STS-9 mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
Dec. 14-15	Columbia flown to KSC via El Paso, Kelly AFB and Eglin AFB.

1984
.
Jan. 6	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation of STS 41 B mission.
Jan. 11	STS 41-B vehicle moved to launch pad.
Feb. 3-11	STS 41-B mission; first landing at KSC.
March 14	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 41 -C mission.
March 19	STS 41-C vehicle moved to launch pad.
April 6-13	STS 41-C mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
April 17-18	Challenger flown back to KSC via Kelly AFB.
May 12	Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 41-D.
May 19	STS 41-D vehicle moved to launch pad.
June 2	Flight readiness firing of Discovery's main engines.
June 25	STS 41-D launch attempt scrubbed because of computer problem.
June 26	STS 41-D launch attempt scrubbed following main engine shutdown at T minus 4 seconds.
July 14	STS 41-D vehicle moved back to VAB for remanifest of payloads.
Aug. 9	STS 41-D vehicle again moved out to the launch pad.
Aug. 30-Sept. 5	STS 41-D mission; first flight of Discovery; landing at Edwards AFB.
Sept. 8	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 41-G mission.
Sept. 9-10	Discovery resumed to KSC via Altus AFB, Okla.
Sept. 13	STS 41-G launch vehicle moved to launch pad.
Oct. 5-13	STS 41-G mission; landing at KSC.
Oct. 18	Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-A mission.
Oct. 23	STS 51-A launch vehicle moved to launch pad.
Nov. 7	STS 51-A launch scrubbed because of high shear winds.
Nov. 8-16	STS 51-A mission; landing at KSC.

1985
.
Jan. 5	Discovery moved to launch pad for STS 51-C mission.
Jan. 24-27	STS 51-C mission landing at KSC.
Feb. 10	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-E mission.
Feb. 15	STS 51-E vehicle moved to launch pad.
March 4	STS 51-E vehicle rolled back to VAB; mission cancelled; payloads combined with STS 51-B.
March 23	Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-D mission.
March 28	STS 51-D vehicle moved to launch pad.
April 6	Atlantis (OV-104) rollout at Palmdale.
April 10	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-B mission.
April 12-19	STS 51-D mission; landing at KSC.
April 13	Atlantis ferried to KSC via Ellington AFB, Texas.
April 15	Challenger moved to launch pad for 51-B mission.
April 29-May 6	STS 51-B mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
May 10	Challenger transported back to KSC via Kelly AFB.
May 28	Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-G.
June 4	STS 51-G vehicle moved to the launch pad.
June 17-24	STS 51-G mission; landing Edwards AFB.
June 24	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-F.
June 28	Discovery ferried back to KSC via Bergstrom AFB, Texas.
June 29	STS 51 -F vehicle moved to the launch pad.
July 11	Refurbished Columbia moved overland from Palmdale to Dryden.
July 12	STS 51 -F launch scrubbed at T-minus 3 seconds because of main engine shutdown.
July 14	Columbia resumed to KSC via Offutt AFB, Neb.
July 29-Aug. 6	STS 51 -F mission landing at Edwards AFB.
July 30	Discovery moved to VAB for mating in preparation for STS 51-I mission.
Aug. 6	STS 51-I vehicle moved to the launch pad.
Aug. 10-11	Challenger flown to KSC via Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; Kelly AFB; and Eglin AFB.
Aug. 24	STS 51 -I mission scrubbed at T minus 5 minutes because of bad weather.
Aug. 25	STS 51-I mission scrubbed at T-minus 9 minutes because of an onboard computer problem.
Aug. 27-Sept. 3	STS 51-I mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
August 29	Atlantis moved to launch pad for the 51 -J mission.
Sept. 7-8	Discovery flown back to KSC via Kelly AFB.
Sept. 12	Flight readiness firing of Atlantis' main engines; 20 seconds.
Oct. 3-7	STS 51-J mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
Oct. 11	Atlantis resumed to KSC via Kelly AFB.
Oct. 12	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for the STS 61-A mission.

1985 continued
.
Oct. 16	Challenger vehicle moved to the launch pad for STS 61-A mission.
Oct. 30-Nov. 6	STS 61-A mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
Nov. 8	Atlantis moved to VAB for mating in preparation for the STS 61-B.
Nov. 10-11	Challenger flown back to KSC via Davis-Monthan AFB, Kelly AFB and Eglin AFB.
Nov. 12	STS 61-B vehicle moved to the launch pad.
Nov. 18	Enterprise (OV-101) flown from KSC to Dulles Airport, Washington, D.C., and fumed over to the Smithsonian Institution.
Nov. 22	Columbia moved to the VAB for mating in preparation STS 61-C.
Nov. 26-Dec. 3	STS 61 -B mission landing at Edwards AFB.
Dec.1	STS 61-C vehicle moved to launch pad.
Dec. 7	Atlantis resumed to KSC via Kelly AFB.
Dec. 16	Challenger moved to VAB for mating in preparation for the STS 51-L mission.
Dec. 19	STS 61 -C mission scrubbed at T minus 13 seconds because of SRB auxiliary power unit problem.
Dec. 22	STS 51-L vehicle moved to Launch Pad 39B.

1986
.
Jan. 6	STS 61-C mission scrubbed at T minus 31 seconds because of liquid oxygen valve problem on pad.
Jan. 7	STS 61-C mission scrubbed at T minus 9 minutes because of weather problems at contingency landing sites.
Jan. 10	STS 61-C mission scrubbed T minus 9 minutes because of bad weather at KSC.
Jan. 12-18	STS 61-C mission; landing at Edwards AFB.
Jan. 22-23	Columbia returned to KSC via Davis-Monthan AFB, Kelly AFB and Eglin AFB.
Jan. 27-28	STS 51-L launched from Pad B. Vehicle exploded 1 minute, 13 seconds after liftoff resulting loss of seven crew members.
Feb. 3	President Reagan announced the formation of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident, headed by William P. Rogers, former Secretary of State.
March 24	NASA publishes "Strategy for Safely Returning the Space Shuttle to Flight Status."
May 12	President Reagan appoints Dr. James C. Fletcher NASA Administrator.
July 8	NASA establishes Safety, Reliability Maintainability, and Quality Assurance Office.
July 14	NASA's plan to implement the recommendations of the Rogers commission was submitted to President Reagan.
Aug. 15	President Reagan announced his decision to support a replacement for the Challenger. At the same time, it was announced that NASA no longer would launch commercial satellites, except for those which are Shuttle-unique or have national security or foreign policy implications.
Aug. 22	NASA announced the beginning of a series of tests designed to verify the ignition pressure dynamics of the Space Shuttle solid rocket motor field joint.
Sept. 5	Study contracts were awarded to five aerospace firms for conceptual designs of an alternative or Block II Space Shuttle solid rocket motor.
Sept. 10	Astronaut Bryan O'Connor was named chairman of Space Flight Safety Panel. This panel, with oversight responsibility for all NASA manned space program activities, reports to the Associate Administrator for Safety, Reliability, Maintainability and Quality Assurance.
Oct. 2	After an intensive study, NASA announced the decision to test fire the redesigned solid rocket motor in a horizontal attitude to best simulate the critical conditions on the field joint which failed during the 51-L mission.
Oct. 30	Discovery moved to OPF where more than 200 modifications are accomplished for STS-26 mission.
Nov. 6	Office of the Director, National Space Transportation System, established in the NASA Headquarters Office of Space Flight.

1987
.
July 31	Rockwell International awarded contract to build a fifth orbiter to replace the Challenger.
Aug. 3	Discovery in the Orbital Processing Facility is powered up for STS-26 mission.

1988
.
Mid-Jan.	Main engines are installed in Discovery.
March 28	Stacking of Discovery's SRBs gets underway.
May 28	Stacking of Discovery's SRBs completed.
June 10	SRBs and External Tank are mated.
June 14	The fourth full-duration test firing of the redesigned SRB motor is carried out.
June 21	Discovery rolls over from OPF to the VAB.
July 4	Discovery moved to Launch Pad 39B for STS-26 mission.
Aug. 10	Flight Readiness Firing of Discovery's main engines is conducted successfully.