Space

Spacelab D1

Germany's first Spacelab mission was D1, a seven-day mission launched 30 October 1985. This mission marked the first time the scientific and technical control of the Spacelabs performed outside the US. The Germanpace Operations Center (GSOC) in Oberpfaffenhofen planned, prepared, and controlled D1. Two German payload specialists, Ernst Messerschmid and Reinhard Purrer, worked in shifts with NASA and Dutch astronauts to provide nearly 24 hours per day access to the scientific payload. The manifest of German life sciences experiments included cellular biological, botanical, and medical experiments, utilizing ESA's Biorack, Anthrorack, and Vestibular Sled facilities (References 7-8).