The Explorers' Club, № MXCIV

Operation AXIOM: The Space Age—The 40th Anniversary of S.T.S.-51-G (№ 18), Part I
17-19 June 1985: The Space Shuttle Discovery OV-103 lifted off from Florida's K.S.C. with CDR Dan Brandenstein, Pilot John Creighton, M.S.1 John Fabian, M.S.2/F.E. Steve Nagel, M.S.3 Shannon Lucid, P.S.1 Patrick Baudry (C.N.E.S., France), & P.S.2 Prince Sultan bin Salman Al Saud (R.S.A.F., Saudi Arabia); the septet deployed three telecom satellites: Arabsat-1B, Morelos I, & Telstar 303.

Commentary: S.T.S.-51-G was the fifth flight of the Discovery OV-103. S.T.S.-51-G evinced both "blow-by" damage to the Solid Rocket Boosters, the doom of the Challenger (1986), & falling foam damage to the Thermal Protection System, the doom of the Columbia (2003).

Al Saud was simultaneously the first Muslim, the first Arab, & the first royal to fly in space.

Bonus! Space Age Song o' the Day: S.T.S.-51-G
Maurice Jarre & the Philharmonia Orchestra, "Main Titles" from Lawrence of Arabia (Space Cadet Mike Papa Whiskey)

Semper exploro.