Discovery (STS-26) "Return to Flight" launched 1988

STS-26 crew

Front row (L-R): Richard Covey, Frederick Hauck

Back row (L-R): John Lounge, David Hilmers, George Nelson

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-26), launched September 29, 1988, was the "Return to Flight" mission, the first since the Challenger disaster in January 1986.  Its crew consisted of Commander Frederick Hauck, Pilot Richard Covey, John Lounge, David Hilmers and George Nelson.

It was the first space shuttle to be equipped with a Voice Control Unit, which was a computer capable of recognizing and responding to human speech.

They returned to Earth October 3.

Challenger (STS-7) launched with first American female astronaut 1983

STS-7 crew (L-R):  Sally Ride, John Fabian, Robert Crippen, Norman Thagard, Fred Hauck

Mission patch

Challenger (STS-7) launched on June 18, 1983 carrying the first American first female astronaut, Sally Ride, into space.  The rest of the crew consisted of Commander Robert Crippen (only non-rookie on board), Pilot Fred Hauck, John Fabian and Norman Thagard. 

During the mission, the crew deployed several satellites and conducted a variety of experiments. 

They returned to Earth June 24 at Edwards Air Force base.

Discovery (STS-51-A) launched 1984

L-R: Dale Gardner, David Walker, Anna Fisher, Fred Hauck, Joseph Allen

(That's not a real bald eagle.)

Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-51-A) took off from Kennedy Space Center November 8, 1984 and landed back there 8 days later.  It was her second flight.  During the mission, the crew of Discovery deployed two satellites and retrieved two other satellites that were malfunctioning.  Her crew consisted of Commander Fred Hauck, Pilot David Walker, Mission Specialist Joseph Allen, Mission Specialist Anna Fisher and Mission Specialist Dale Gardner.

Gardner and Allen performed the EVAs to capture the satellites.

Anna Fisher was the first mother in space.  She had a one year-old daughter at the time of the mission.

The mission began on Dale Gardner's 36th birthday.  He was born November 8, 1948 in Fairmount, Minnesota and passed away February 19th 2014.  David Walker has also passed away.