Space Shuttle Challenger

      The Space Shuttle Challenger (OV-051) is the first space-rated orbiter of the Prairie Union Shuttle Program, and is the first successfully re-usable spacecraft of the SPN. Challenger was the first orbiter ordered, named, and built, in a co-operative effort with the Federation Space Agency (FSA), the West Mendota Air and Space Program (WASP) and the Federal Wisconsinite Space Program (FWSP). 

    Challenger was delayed in her first flight several weeks for varying issues, including weather, rocket troubles, fuse issues, and several other problems, but on Oct. 15th, from Cape Knebel Launch Pad 1, Andrew Anderson Space Center, the Challenger-Adama system was successfully launched, marking the first successful launch of the program and the beginning of the new era of SPN Spaceflight. 

History

      Challenger was first proposed by Caden Schwartz as "Space Shuttle One" and the first of the proposed "New Spaceflight Program." The program evolved into the Prairie Union Shuttle Program, and Project: Challenger. Challenger herself is named after the American Space Shuttle of the same name, which broke up shortly into flight in 1986. The ship was intended as a commemoration of the ship and her 7 crew. When it was designed, the patch included 7 stars for the 7 astronauts, and a single larger star for the orbiter itself. This was made even more prominent in the final patch design. It is the only Prairie Union Space Shuttle to be named after an American Orbiter. 

      Challenger, as the first orbiter to be ordered, was also the first completed. The Cosmos was technically completed first, but since Cosmos was built to a somewhat different design and was only a proof of concept, it is not considered a full Orbiter. Challenger has the designation OV-51, another subtle nod to the American Challenger, which exploded on STS-51-L. 

SLST-01

    The first Shuttle Mission of Project: Challenger was delayed 3 times, and pushed back 2 weeks due to fuse issues and weather delays. However, on the 14th of October, Challenger successfully lifted off from LC-1 at Anderson Space Center, and flew to an altitude of 51ft. Challenger returned safely after. 

     In the aftermath of the flight, however, it was discovered that the Orbiter had sustained major damage to the vertical stabilizer (tail fin) that required construction of Intrepid to be delayed and a redesign to take place. In addition, the small grey cowl over the leading edge of the wings was replaced by a deeper, matte black paint cowl. 

SLST-02

      With her new paint scheme, on the 21st of October, Challenger once again lifted off from LC-01, ASC, on her second mission. The flight carried the ship on a more powerful Adama I rocket, with her going higher than she did in the previous flight. Challenger this time had no chipped paint and no damage to the Stabilizer, and thus the mission was considered a marked improvement over the first mission.