Astronomy Picture of the Day -- The Astronaut Who Captured a Satellite [from 1984]

NASA ^ | December 09, 2012 | (see photo credit)

[SunkenCiv]

Explanation: In 1984, high above the Earth's surface, an astronaut captured a satellite. It was the second satellite captured that mission. Pictured above, astronaut Dale A. Gardner flies free using the Manned Maneuvering Unit and begins to attach a control device dubbed the Stinger to the rotating Westar 6 satellite. Communications satellite Westar 6 had suffered a rocket malfunction that left it unable to reach its intended high geosynchronous orbit. Both the previously caught Palapa B-2 satellite and the Westar 6 satellite were guided into the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Discovery and returned to Earth. Westar 6 was subsequently refurbished and sold.

[SunkenCiv]

[Credit: STS-51A, NASA]

[El Gato]

We can no longer do that sort of thing. Don’t even have solid plans to get back to being able to do it.

So sad. They are stealing the stars.

[SunkenCiv]

My apologies, I seem to have been using the wrong version of the APoD ping list.

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[SunkenCiv]

My apologies, I seem to have been using the wrong version of the APoD ping list.

join or quit list APoD 'blog post new APoD topic Astronomy Picture of the Day topic & keyword Astronomy Chat, Bloggers & keyword Science Chat, Bloggers & keyword NASA's APoD archive Calendar 1995-present APoD on your desktop

[doorgunner69]

Astronaut Gardner was another guy with a large clacking set to do that job. Amazing.

And now Zero would never allow even the planning for it, not that he has not killed all capability.

How far we have fallen because of him, and the moochers have elected him again. I have disconnected from them all, a pox on them all.

[houeto]

Awesome SC. Thanks a ton.

[narses]

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[narses]

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[narses]

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[SunkenCiv]

This photo is nearly 30 years old, mind-boggling how long the STS was in service. That’s probably going to stand as a record for a lonnnng time, and not just because the Kenyan has pulled the plug.

[SunkenCiv]

My pleasure houeto.

[TheOldLady]

Bump, Mr. Civilizations, Bump!

[houeto]

Will you please add me to your APOD list? Thanks in advance if you do.

[mitch5501]

Thanks SC great pic.Could you please add me to the APOD pinglist.I do have the site bookmarked but since I'm so addic....eeer...spend a lot of time on FR it would be nice to see it here.

cheers!

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks, will do, and welcome!

[SunkenCiv]

Welcome aboard!

[bmwcyle]

Is that the highest speed hand catch?