STS-95

Quick Facts: Who was STS-95?

Subject:

STS-95

Known for:

Space Shuttle mission featuring John H. Glenn's return to orbit and HDTV debut.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

STS-95 was a Space Shuttle mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on 29 October 1998, using the orbiter Discovery. It was the 25th flight of Discovery and the 92nd mission flown since the start of the Space Shuttle program in April 1981. It was a highly publicized mission due to former Project Mercury astronaut and United States Senator John H. Glenn Jr.'s return to space for his second space flight.

Career & Major Achievements

At age 77, Glenn became the oldest person to go into space, a record that remained unbroken for 23 years until 82-year-old Wally Funk flew on a suborbital flight on Blue Origin NS-16, launching on 20 July 2021, which in turn was broken by William Shatner at age 90 on 13 October 2021 and then by Ed Dwight on 19 May 2024. Glenn, however, remains the oldest person to reach Earth orbit.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

This mission is also noted for inaugurating ATSC HDTV broadcasting in the U.S., with live coast-to-coast coverage of the launch. In another first, Pedro Duque became the first Spaniard in space.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1981: 1981 Milestone — It was the 25th flight of Discovery and the 92nd mission flown since the start of the Space Shuttle program in April 1981.
2. 1998: 1998 Milestone — STS-95 was a Space Shuttle mission launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida on 29 October 1998, using the orbiter Discovery.
3. 2021: 2021 Milestone — At age 77, Glenn became the oldest person to go into space, a record that remained unbroken for 23 years until 82-year-old Wally Funk flew on a suborbital flight on Blue Origin NS-16, launching on 20 July 2021, which in turn was broken by William Shatner at age 90 on 13 October 2021 and then by Ed Dwight on 19 May 2024.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: STS-95

True or False: “STS-95 was the first mission to broadcast high-definition television live from space.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While STS-95 was crucial for the inauguration of ATSC HDTV broadcasting, the live broadcast coverage itself was from Earth, not from space.

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Frequently Asked Questions about STS-95