This information, along with data from Teal Ruby, was to be used in the development of the Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars", President Ronald Reagan's ballistic missile defense system. They would have collected data on infrared, ultraviolet, and visible light in regards to natural and induced phenomena in Earth's upper atmosphere. The infrared telescope was called Cirris. The second was to conduct a series of observations using telescopes and instruments mounted in the payload bay. Its first primary objective was to deploy an experimental early warning satellite called Teal Ruby. According to mission specialist Jerry Ross's autobiography Spacewalker, although 62A was a military flight, most aspects of the mission were not classified. Discovery and her crew of seven were scheduled to launch in March of 1986 and become the first manned polar orbital mission. The inaugural flight from SLC-6 was planned to be STS-62A. The orbiter was also used to test LC-39A at KSC. OV-101 Enterprise was mated with an external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters in boilerplate configuration and used for fit checks on the launch pad. SLC-6 was declared operational on Octoeven though more work and testing needed to be done. An orbiter maintenance and processing facility was added to the end of the runway for servicing and refurbishment of the vehicle. Furthermore, the existing 5,500 foot (1,700 m) runway on the North Base flight line was lengthened to almost 3 miles, or 15,000 feet (5,100 m), to match the Shuttle Landing Facility at the Kennedy Space Center. Other additions included liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen storage tanks, a payload preparation room, a payload changeout room, a new launch tower with escape system, a sound suppression system and water reclamation area, and the Shuttle assembly building. The original mobile service tower was lowered in height and two new flame ducts were added for the Shuttle's solid rocket boosters.
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