Crew:
    Richard Truly [2], Commander
    Daniel Brandenstein [1], Pilot
    Dale Gardner [1], Mission Specialist
    Guion Bluford [1], Mission Specialist
    William Thornton [1], Mission Specialist

Launch:
    Pad: 39-A [8]
    Date: 30 August 1983
    Time: 06:32:00 UTC

Orbit:
    Altitude: 191 nm
    Inclination: 28.5 degrees
    Orbits: 98
    Duration: 6 days, 1 hours, 8 minutes, 43 seconds
    Distance: 2,514,478 miles

Landing:
    Location: Runway 22, Edwards Air Force Base, CA [7]
    Date: 5 September 1983
    Time: 07:40:43 UTC
    Rollout: 50 seconds (2,856 meters, 9,371 feet)

Highlights:
    Bluford became the first black American to fly in space. A satellite for India was deployed. Six rats were also aboard the shuttle (but none of them were known to be politicians).

Brandenstein, Gardner, Truly, Thornton, Bluford

Archived NASA mission page for STS-8

Page last modified: 28 May 2026 16:29:56.