STS-51I

STS-51I was a NASA Space Shuttle Discovery mission launched from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A on August 27, 1985. Joe H. Engle commanded the flight, Richard O. Covey served as pilot, and James D. A. van Hoften, John M. Lounge, and William F. Fisher served as mission specialists. The crew deployed three communications satellites: ASC-1 for American Satellite Company, AUSSAT-1 for Australia, and Syncom IV-4 / Leasat-4 for the U.S. Navy. The mission also recovered and repaired Syncom IV-3 / Leasat-3, which had failed after deployment on STS-51D. Lounge operated the remote manipulator system while van Hoften and Fisher performed two EVAs to capture, service, and redeploy the satellite. Discovery landed at Edwards Air Force Base on September 3, 1985, after a mission lasting just over seven days.