Challenger (STS-51-B) launched 1985

STS-51-B crew

First row (L-R): Robert Overmyer, Frederick Gregory

Back row (L-R): Don Lind, Taylor Wang, Norman Thagard, William Thornton, Lodewijk van den Berg

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Challenger, launched April 29, 1985, was the seventh flight of Challenger.  Its crew consisted of Commander Robert Overmyer, Pilot Frederick Gregory, Don Lind, Norman Thagard, William Thornton, Lodewijk van den Berg, and Taylor Wang.

It was the second flight of the European Space Agency's Spacelab.  Two squirrel monkeys and 24 rats in special cages accompanied the astronauts in space.

They returned to Earth May 6.

Happy birthday, Challenger astronaut, William Thornton!

William Thornton, born April 14, 1929 in Faison, North Carolina, is a veteran of two space shuttle flights, both on Challenger.

His first mission was STS-8 as mission specialist in August-September 1983.  He conducted experiments on biofeedback techniques and space sickness.

His second mission was on STS-51-B as mission specialist in April-May 1985.  It was the second flight of the European Space Agency's Spacelab.

Challenger (STS-8) launched 1983

STS-8 crew:

Seated (L-R): Daniel C. Brandenstein, Richard H. Truly, Guion S. Bluford, Jr., 

Standing (L-R): Dale A. Gardner, William E. Thornton

Mission patch

Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-8), launched August 30, 1983, was the first night lift-off and night landing of the shuttle program.  Its crew consisted of Commander Richard Truly, Pilot Daniel Brandenstein, Guion Bluford, Dale Gardner, and William Thornton.

They deployed an Indian satellite INSAT-1B and it was the first flight for an African-American astronaut, Guy Bluford.

They returned to Earth September 5.