Challenger space shuttle. Artwork of Spacelab (D- 1) in the Challenger space shuttle, flight STS- 61A, which was launched on October 30, 1985. This flight was the Challenger's last successful flight. 75 experiments were performed in the laboratory and involved basic and applied microgravity research in fields of materials science, life sciences and technology, and communications and navigation. Six of the eight crew members were divided into a blue and red team working 12-hour shifts for 24 hours- a-day operation. The remaining two crew members were 'switch hitters'.