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The crew of STS-8 prior to launch: (from left to right) Dale Gardner, Guion Bluford, William Thornton, Daniel Brandenstein, and commander Richard Truly. STS-8 launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 30, 1983. This was the third flight for the orbiter Challenger and the first mission with a night launch and also the first to make a night landing. The crew of STS-8 also included the first African-American to fly in space, Dr. Guion Bluford.

During the mission, the STS-8 crew deployed the Indian National Satellite (INSAT-1B), operated the Canadian-built RMS with the Payload Flight Test Article (PFTA), operated the Continuous Flow Electrophoresis System (CFES) with live cell samples, conducted medical measurements to understand biophysiological effects of spaceflight and activated four "Getaway Special" canisters. STS-8 completed 98 orbits of the Earth in 145 hours before landing at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on September 5, 1983.