What is sts-10?

STS-10 was the tenth mission of NASA's Space Shuttle program and the fourth flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. It launched on March 27, 1983, with a crew of four astronauts led by Commander John W. Young, a veteran of NASA's Gemini and Apollo programs.

The primary objective of the mission was to deploy the first-ever operational satellite of the Tracking and Data Relay Satellite (TDRS) system, which would provide high-bandwidth communications between the ground and orbiting spacecraft, including the Space Shuttle.

In addition to the TDRS deployment, the crew also conducted experiments in materials processing, space manufacturing, and plant growth. They also performed a spacewalk to test tools and techniques for repairing and servicing satellites in orbit.

STS-10 was the first mission to use a new version of the Space Shuttle's main engines, called Block I, which were designed to last longer and produce more thrust than their predecessors. The mission lasted for five days, 23 hours, and 42 minutes, and Columbia landed safely at Edwards Air Force Base in California on April 1, 1983.

Overall, STS-10 was a successful mission that advanced the capabilities of space-based communications and demonstrated important techniques for servicing and repairing satellites in orbit.