USA year 1983 Flight USPS NASA – Challenger

USA 1983 Flight Cover / Folder USPS NASA Launched 8/30/1983 Challenger FDC

On August 30, 1983, NASA launched the Space Shuttle Challenger (STS-8) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission was historically significant for several reasons:

• First African American Astronaut in Space: Guion S. Bluford became the first African American to travel to space.
• First Night Launch & Night Landing: STS-8 was the first space shuttle mission to be launched at night and also the first to land at night.
• Payloads: The mission deployed the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-1B) and conducted medical and technical experiments.

The Challenger orbiter successfully completed the mission and landed on September 5, 1983, at Edwards Air Force Base in California.