1988-106 Success
Space Shuttle Atlantis / OV-104 | STS-27
Dec 2, 1988, 02:30 PM UTC
Track in KeepTrackLaunch Overview
Vehicle
Space Shuttle
Agency
Lockheed Space Operations Company
Site / Pad
KSC / LC39B
Outcome
Success
Flight
STS-27R
COSPAR Designator
1988-106
Mission
STS-27 (Government/Top Secret)
STS-27 was the twenty-seventh and the third for Atlantis. It carried a classified payload for the Department of Defence. The heat shielding was substantially damaged during lift-off, impacting the right wing. The crew narrowly survived re-entry with a steal bar taking the brunt of the heat before beginning to burn through the aluminum structure.
Vehicle & Provider
Rocket
Space Shuttle
Provider
Lockheed Space Operations Company
Agency launches
18 (2 YTD)
Site launches
44 (2 YTD)
Pad launches
8 (2 YTD)