STS-51-F

In July 1985 the Space Shuttle Challenger suffered the failure of a main engine during ascent on the STS-51-F Spacelab 2 mission, forcing the crew to perform NASA's first and only Abort-to-Orbit, which still allowed the mission to continue in a lower orbit. The mission, commanded by Gordon Fullerton, completed most of its science objectives before returning safely. The case is being revisited as a notable example of in-flight crisis management.