The Explorers' Club, № DCCCXLIX

Operation AXIOM: The Space Age—The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-2
12-14 November 1981: The Space Shuttle Columbia OV-102 lifted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center with CDR Joe Engle & Pilot Dick Truly; this was the first flight of the Remote Manipulator System ("Canadarm"); the five-day mission was shortened to three days after one of the three electricity-producing fuel cells failed, & the Columbia landed safely at California's Edwards A.F.B.

Commentary: After the Solid Rocket Boosters were recovered, "blow-by" damage to one of the O-rings was observed. This was the first observance of a critical design flaw that would eventually doom the crew of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986.

This was the second flight of the Columbia OV-102. This was the first time a crewed orbital spacecraft had flown a second crewed flight.

Bonus! Space Age Song o' the Day: S.T.S.-2
Five Iron Frenzy, "Oh, Canada" from Our Newest Album Ever! (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Semper exploro.