Checklist, Payload Deployment, Space Shuttle, STS-5

Astronaut William Lenoir used this checklist for deployment of the Satellite Business Systems communications satellite on the STS-5 space shuttle mission on Columbia in 1982. This was the first of many shuttle missions that delivered satellites into orbit. Even though astronauts had extensive training in the tasks to be completed during their missions, they relied on checklists to ensure that all procedures were followed correctly and no steps were skipped. Releasing a satellite was a complex task that involved activating it, coordinating with the pilot to time the release at the proper altitude and orientation, and resolving any problems. The checklist covered these and other topics in detail.

NASA transferred this checklist to the Museum in 1983.