Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut John-David F. Bartoe!

John-David Bartoe, born November 17, 1944 in Abington, Pennsylvania, has spent almost 8 days in space.  He flew aboard Challenger (STS-51-F) as a payload specialist in July-August 1985.

Challenger (STS-51-F) launched 1985

Front row (seated) L–R: Gordon Fullerton, Roy Bridges, 

Back row (standing) L–R: Anthony England, Karl Henize, F. Story Musgrave, Loren Acton, John-David Bartoe

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-51-F), launched July 29, 1985, was the only shuttle mission that had to "Abort To Orbit" (ATO).  Shortly after liftoff, a number of sensor failings caused the main engine to shut down and the crew had to abort to orbit.  They achieved orbit at a lower altitude and managed to complete their mission successfully.

Its crew consisted of Commander Gordon Fullerton, Pilot Roy Bridges, Karl Henize, F. Story Musgrave, Anthony England, Loren Acton and John-David Bartoe.  Challenger's primary payload was the lab module Spacelab 2, which involved multiple experiments related to life sciences and physics.

Coca-Cola and Pepsi provided carbonated drinks for the mission in specially-designed cans, but the crew preferred Tang, since it could be mixed with chilled water available on the shuttle.  The carbonated beverages weren't refrigerated and foamed excessively in microgravity.

They returned to Earth August 6.

Happy birthday, Space Shuttle astronaut Roy Bridges!

Roy Bridges, born July 19, 1943 in Atlanta, Georgia, went into space on the shuttle Challenger (STS-51-F) July-August 1985.  He was pilot and it was his only mission into space, as it was with fellow astronauts Karl Henize, Anthony England, Loren Acton and John-David Bartoe. 

He became Director of NASA's Kennedy Space Center for over 6 years.