1982 Defense Mapping Agency Space Shuttle Mission Chart of Orbits for STS-7

This is a 1982 Defense Mapping Agency map of STS-7 Space Shuttle orbits superimposed over a Mercator projection map of the world. America's first female astronaut, Sally Ride, was a member of the crew of STS-7.

A Closer Look

Printed on both sides, colored lines represent each of Space Shuttle Challenger's 97 orbits during STS-7. (STS stands for Space Transport System and was the official name for the Space Shuttle program.) Orbits are divided into groups, such as Orbits 1 through 16, Orbits 17 through 32, etc., with each orbit numerically identified. Orbits 1 through 64 are illustrated on the recto, and 65 through 116 are depicted on the verso. Antenna locations and call letters are identified by black or red block lettering, and solid black and/or red lines illustrate the effective range at these tracking and communication stations. Blue call letters label airfields where the Space Shuttle could land.

STS-7 and Space Shuttle Challenger

STS-7 launched on June 18, 1983, and landed six days later at Edwards Air Force Base on June 24. During the six-day mission, Challenger's five-person crew (including Sally Ride) conducted experiments, deployed 2 communications satellites (one for Canada and one for Indonesia), and Challenger carried the first Shuttle pallet satellite. Challenger landed at Edwards Air Force Base after. The planned landing at Kennedy Space Center was forced to change due to bad weather. Challenger flew 10 missions, spent 62 days in space, and completed 1,000 orbits of the Earth. Tragically, Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after liftoff on January 28, 1986, killing the seven-member crew of STS-51-L.

Publication History and Census

This map was created and published by the Defense Mapping Agency in January 1982. This is the first edition of the chart, issued in January 1982, and is the only known cataloged example.