STS-6, launched 1:30:00pm ET on April 4, 1983, was the sixth launch of the Space Shuttle and first flight for orbiter OV-099. On-board Challenger, astronauts Paul Weitz, Karol Bobko, Donald Peterson and Story Musgrave orbited the Earth 81 times before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Mission elasped time was 5 days, 2 hours, 14 minutes, and 25 seconds.

As with all Space Shuttle launches, two solid rocket boosters (SRB) provided the main thrust to lift Challenger off the pad. Two hundred ninety five (295) seconds after they separated from the vehicle, both SRBs fell into the Atlantic Ocean, where they were recovered for reuse.

This recovery sequence includes the deployment of pilot, drogue, and main parachutes. Each triggers the release of the next chute. For example, the 11.5-foot-diameter conical ribbon pilot parachute provides the force to pull the lanyard activating a zero-second cutter, which cuts the loop securing the drogue retention straps.

This second cutter, recovered after the flight of STS-6, was presented as a Program Performance Award to Robert John Kern.