Set of three color mission charts for Space Shuttle missions 51-B, 61-A, and 61-C, ranging in size from 40.75 x 15.75 to 40.75 x 24.25, dated December 1984, June 1985, and September 1985. The STS-51-B mission chart (cycle 3), second edition, shows orbits 1-32 and the upper table listing information for orbits 33-144; the dual-sided STS-61-A mission chart (cycle 2), first edition, shows orbits 1-64 to front and orbits 65-144 to back; and the STS-61-C mission chart (cycle 2), first edition, shows ground-tracking data for orbits 1-96. Each chart features a large blue faded area identified as the “South Atlantic Anomaly,” which is an area where the Earth's inner Van Allen radiation belt comes closest to the Earth's surface, dipping down to an altitude of 120 miles; it leads to an increased flux of energetic particles in this region and exposes orbiting satellites to higher-than-usual levels of radiation. All were prepared and published by the Defense Mapping Agency Aerospace Center for NASA. Rolled and in overall fine condition, with some light wear to edges.
