STS-54

Endeavour deploys the TDRS-F satellite.
Names	Space Transportation System-54
Mission type	TDRS-F satellite deployment Technology
Operator	NASA
COSPAR ID	1993-003A
SATCAT no.	22313
Mission duration	5 days, 23 hours, 38 minutes, 19 seconds
Distance travelled	4,000,000 km (2,500,000 mi)
Orbits completed	96
Spacecraft properties
Spacecraft	Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch mass	0 kg (0 lb)
Landing mass	92,988 kg (205,003 lb)
Payload mass	18,559 kg (40,916 lb)
Crew
Crew size	5
Members	John Casper Donald R. McMonagle Mario Runco Jr. Gregory J. Harbaugh Susan Helms
Start of mission
Launch date	January 13, 1993, 13:59:30 UTC
Rocket	Space Shuttle Endeavour
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center, LC-39B
Contractor	Rockwell International
End of mission
Landing date	January 19, 1993, 13:37:47 UTC
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center, SLF Runway 33
Orbital parameters
Reference system	Geocentric orbit
Regime	Low Earth orbit
Perigee altitude	302 km (188 mi)
Apogee altitude	309 km (192 mi)
Inclination	28.45 degrees
Period	90.60 minutes
Instruments
Commercial General Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGPA) Chromosome and Plant Cell Division Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS) Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE) Space Acceleration Measurement Equipment (SAMS) Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE)
STS-54 mission patch Runco, Casper, McMonagle, Helms, Harbaugh Space Shuttle program ← STS-53 (52) STS-56 (54) →

STS-54 was a NASA Space Transportation System (Space Shuttle) mission using Space Shuttle Endeavour. This was the third flight for Endeavour, and was launched on January 13, 1993 with Endeavour returning to the Kennedy Space Center on January 19, 1993.

Crew

Mission highlights

The primary payload was the fifth TDRS satellite, TDRS-F, which was deployed on day one of the mission.^[2] It was later successfully transferred to its proper orbit by the Inertial Upper Stage (IUS).^[3] Also carried into orbit in the payload bay was a Hitchhiker experiment called the Diffuse X-ray Spectrometer (DXS). This instrument collected data on X-ray radiation from diffuse sources in deep space.^[4]

Other middeck payloads to test the effects of microgravity included the Commercial General Bioprocessing Apparatus (CGPA) for-life sciences research; the Chromosome and Plant Cell Division in Space Experiment (CHROMEX) to-study plant growth; the Physiological and Anatomical Rodent Experiment (PARE) to examine the skeletal system and the adaptation of bone to space flight; the Space Acceleration Measurement Equipment (SAMS) to measure and record the microgravity acceleration environment of middeck experiments; and the Solid Surface Combustion Experiment (SSCE) to measure the rate of flame spread and temperature of burning filter paper.^[1]

Also, on day five, mission specialists Mario Runco Jr. and Gregory J. Harbaugh spent nearly 5 hours in the open cargo bay performing a series of space-walking tasks designed to increase NASA's knowledge of working in space. They tested their abilities to move about freely in the cargo bay, climb into foot restraints without using their hands and simulated carrying large objects in the microgravity environment. The EVA completed after 4 hours, 28 minutes.^[1]

The EVA was a late addition to the mission plan as part of NASA's objectives to hone EVA skills required for hardware assembly anticipating the International Space Station.^[5]

The mission completed on January 19, 1993 with a landing at Kennedy Space Center.^[1]