STS-61-B was the 23rd NASA Space Shuttle mission, and its second using Space Shuttle Atlantis. The shuttle was launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on November 26, 1985. During STS-61-B, the shuttle crew deployed three communications satellites, and tested techniques of constructing structures in orbit. Atlantis landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, at 16:33:49 EST on December 3, 1985, after 6 days, 21 hours, 4 minutes, and 49 seconds in orbit.
Construction of the ACCESS structure.
Back row: Charles D. Walker, Jerry L. Ross, Mary L. Cleave, Sherwood C. Spring, Rodolfo Neri Vela Front row: Bryan D. O'Connor, Brewster H. Shaw Jr.Space Shuttle program← STS-61-A (22)STS-61-C (24) →
Deployment of the Satcom-K2 satellite
Night launch of Atlantis at the beginning of the STS-61-B mission
Space Shuttle Atlantis is a retired Space Shuttle orbiter vehicle which belongs to NASA, the spaceflight and space exploration agency of the United States. Atlantis was manufactured by the Rockwell International company in Southern California and was delivered to the Kennedy Space Center in Eastern Florida in April 1985. Atlantis is also the fourth operational and the second-to-last Space Shuttle built. Its maiden flight was STS-51-J made from October 3 to 7, 1985.
Atlantis in orbit in 2010, during STS-132
Space Shuttle Atlantis as it transits the Sun
Melted aluminum plating on Atlantis's right wing underside (STS-27)
Atlantis docked to the International Space Station during STS-132 mission
