Ernst Messerschmid, born May 21, 1945 in Reutlingen, Germany, went into space on the shuttle mission directed, sponsored and paid for by West Germany. It was the last successful mission of Challenger (STS-61-A) and had a non-NASA designation Deutschland-1 (D-1). Messerschmid joined fellow German astronaut Reinhard Furrer and Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels.
Wubbo Ockels, born March 28, 1946 in the Netherlands, was the first Dutch citizen in space. He flew aboard Challenger (STS-61-A) October-November 1985, as a payload specialist. The mission was funded and directed by West Germany, and carried two Germans Reinhard Furrer and Ernst Messerschmid.
It was Ockels only trip into space. He passed away from kidney cancer in May 2014.
Back row (L-R): Steven Nagel, Guy Bluford, Ernst Messerschmid, Wubbo Ockels
Front row (L-R): Reinhard Furrer, Bonnie Dunbar, James Buchli, Henry Hartsfield
Space Shuttle Challenger blasted off October 30, 1985, on what would be its final flight. It still holds the distinction for having the largest crew (8) on board from launch to landing. The mission was funded, directed and controlled by West Germany, so the mission is also known as D-1.
Her record-setting crew was: Commander Henry W. Hartsfield, Jr.; Pilot Steven R. Nagel; Mission Specialist 1 Bonnie J. Dunbar; Mission Specialist 2 James F. Buchli; Mission Specialist 3 Guion S. Buford; Payload Specialist 1 Reinhard Furrer; Payload Specialist 2 Ernst Messerschmid; and Payload Specialist Wubbo Ockels (the Netherlands).
Wubbo Ockels, born in Amsterdam, was the first Dutch citizen to go to space. This was the only mission in space for him and the two German scientists.
Guy Bluford is the first African-American astronaut to space twice. He would go into space 2 more times.
Challenger would be destroyed with her entire crew in January 1986.
