OSS-1 - A pathfinder mission for space science on the Space Shuttle

On its third flight, the Space Shuttle carried a payload of nine scientific instruments, designated OSS-1, to demonstrate the capability of the Shuttle for research in space plasma physics, solar physics, astronomy, life sciences, and space technology and to characterize the environment associated with the operation of the vehicle. A comprehensive scientific and technical program of measurements was successfully executed during the eight-day mission. The interactive use of the Remote Manipulator System by the crew to perform space plasma measurement, the control of the Orbiter as a pointing platform, and the ability to return instruments for recalibration and reflight demonstrate a basic Shuttle capability that can exploited in future scientific missions.