America’s second orbiter in the Space Shuttle program (after Columbia), Challenger was named after the British ship HMS Challenger. The contract for the shuttle’s construction was awarded in 1979 and was completed in 1981. The Challenger made its first flight on April 4, 1983. After that, it flew 85% of all shuttle missions, averaging about three per year between 1983 and 1985. During this time, Challenger carried the first American woman, African American, Dutchman, and Canadian into space. It also conducted three Spacelab missions and made the first nighttime launch and landing of a space shuttle.