Launch from Cape Canaveral (KSC); landing on Cape Canaveral (KSC). The launch was originally scheduled for March 09, 1991, but during processing work at Pad A, significant cracks were found on all four lug hinges on the two external tank umbilical door drive mechanisms. The shuttle was rolled back to the VAB for repair work.

This flight was again dedicated to the Department of Defense mission, but for the first time it was not secret.

Unclassified payload included Air Force Program-675 (AFP-675); Infrared Background Signature Survey (IBSS) with Critical Ionization Velocity (CIV), Chemical Release Observation (CRO) and Shuttle Pallet Satellite-II (SPAS-II) experiments; and Space Test Payload-1 (STP-1). Classified payload consisted of Multi-Purpose Release Canister (MPEC). Also on board was Radiation Monitoring Equipment III (RME III) and Cloud Logic to Optimize Use of Defense Systems-IA (CLOUDS-I).

SDI experiments including AFP-675-payload and research complex IBSS (included deploying and retrieval of SPAS-II and deploying of three CRO-satellites) were done by the crew. They also deployed the SDI satellite MPEC.

The high orbital inclination of the mission, 57 degrees with respect to the equator, allowed the crew to fly over most of Earth's large land masses and observe and record environmental resources and problem areas.

The landing was diverted to the KSC, Florida, because of unacceptably high winds at the planned landing site, Edwards AFB.