STS-51A: The Satellite Rescue Mission

This recording captures the landing of Discovery on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center, with touchdown occurring 4 seconds off the planned time. The crew, led by Commander Rick Hauck, became the first to return with as many satellites as they launched, specifically the retrieval of the Westar and Palapa satellites. Post-landing, the Safety Assessment Team began checks for hazardous vapors, reporting 0 parts per million detected, ensuring a safe environment for the crew's exit.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-51A, focusing on the challenges faced during the retrieval of the Westar satellite. Key moments include the crew's decision to use a human bracket approach, with Joe Allen securing the satellite while Dale Gardner maneuvered with the jet backpack. The commentary also highlights the unexpected issues with the satellite's attachment hardware, leading to a manual retrieval process, and the crew's adaptive strategies in response to these challenges.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-51A, focusing on the deployment of the Telesat satellite, which occurred approximately 18 minutes before the scheduled deploy. Key moments include the crew's preparations for the night deployment, with Commander Rick Hauck discussing the use of black and white camera D for capturing the event. The commentary also highlights the successful execution of the deploy sequence, with Mission Specialist Joe Allen confirming the satellite's parameters and reporting a smooth deployment process.

Launch coverage for STS-51A at T-minus 20 minutes, featuring a 10-minute hold before countdown resumption. Key ascent milestones include liftoff at 7:15 a.m., solid rocket booster separation, and main engine cutoff. Notably, Commander Rick Hauck acknowledged astronaut Dale Gardner's 36th birthday during the countdown, and the mission is highlighted as the first flight to retrieve and return satellites from space.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-51A, focusing on the EVA conducted by Mission Specialists Dale Gardner and Joe Allen. Key moments include the start of the EVA at 5:02 a.m. CST, with the crew utilizing the mechanical arm to stabilize the Westar satellite for its attachment process. The commentary highlights the successful completion of the nozzle cover installation, marking a significant operational achievement during the mission.

This recording captures the landing of Discovery on Runway 15 at Kennedy Space Center, with touchdown occurring 4 seconds later than planned. The crew, including Commander Rick Hauck, became the first to return with as many satellites as they launched, specifically the Westar and Palapa satellites. Post-landing, the Safety Assessment Team reported 0 parts per million of hazardous vapors, ensuring a safe environment for the crew's exit.

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This recording captures the innovative insurance and recovery efforts for the Westar 6 and Palapa B satellites after their launch into incorrect orbits during STS-51A preparations. Key moments include the realization of the launch failures, the proposal by Stephen Merritt for a groundbreaking satellite rescue operation, and the subsequent negotiations with underwriters like Richard Malam. The plan to recover the satellites using the Space Shuttle represents a significant gamble in space insurance, with a total liability of $180 million at stake.

This press conference features astronauts Joe Allen and Dale Gardner discussing the manual retrieval of two satellites, emphasizing the physical challenges they faced during their spacewalks. Notably, Allen mentions the significant weight they handled, stating they managed over a ton, and reflects on the confidence gained from the successful operation. The crew also addresses the implications of their work for future space station assembly and the decision-making process during the mission, including the switch to a backup technique during the EVA.

This recording documents the innovative insurance and recovery efforts for the Westar 6 and Palapa B satellites following their launch failures during STS-51A preparations. Key moments include Stephen Merritt's proposal for a satellite rescue operation, the realization of the motor failure 35 minutes after launch, and the negotiations with underwriters like Richard Malam, who ultimately agreed to support the recovery plan. The plan represents a significant gamble in space insurance, with a total liability of $180 million at stake.

This press conference features astronauts Joe Allen and Dale Gardner discussing the manual retrieval of two satellites, highlighting the physical challenges they faced during their spacewalks. Notably, Allen reflects on the confidence gained from handling over a ton of mass and the decision to switch to a backup technique during the EVA. The crew also addresses the implications of their work for future space station assembly and the significance of their successful operation.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-51A, focusing on the deployment of the Telesat satellite at approximately 1 day, 8 hours, and 35 minutes into the mission. Key moments include the mechanical sequence for opening the sunshields and the satellite's successful release, confirmed by Mission Specialist Joe Allen. The commentary also highlights the crew's preparations for the deployment and the subsequent perigee kick motor burn, ensuring the satellite's trajectory to geosynchronous orbit.

This highlights reel captures key moments from the STS-51A mission, including the liftoff of Discovery at 7:15 AM, marking the first flight to retrieve and return satellites from space. Notable events include the deployment of the LESAT spacecraft and the successful retrieval of the Palapa and Westar satellites during two spacewalks led by astronauts Joe Allen and Dale Gardner. The crew also conducted the 3M crystal growth experiments, with Dr. Anna Fisher operating the Canadian-built robot arm.

Launch coverage for STS-51A at T-minus 20 minutes, featuring a scrub due to upper-level wind shear, with a new launch time set for 7:17 a.m. the following day. Key ascent milestones discussed include liftoff, solid rocket booster separation, and main engine cutoff. Notably, this recording captures the crew's preparations, including Dale Gardner's 36th birthday celebration, and the first flight of pilot Dave Walker.

This press conference features Commander Rick Hauck and crew members discussing the upcoming STS-51A mission, including the deployment of the SYNCOM and TELESAT satellites. Notably, they highlight the manual retrieval operations, with Joe Allen and Dale Gardner detailing their roles as EV crewmen and the challenges of proximity operations. The crew also addresses the innovative 3M DMOS experiment aimed at growing crystals in microgravity, emphasizing its potential applications in fiber optics.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-51A, focusing on the 3M experiment involving chemical diffusion in microgravity. Key moments include Dr. Anna Fisher discussing the experimental setup and the significance of using optical properties for information transmission. The commentary also highlights the first commercial space salvage operation, with Rick Hauck emphasizing the importance of underwriters in supporting commercial space efforts.

This recording is a status briefing for the launch of the Anecd 2 satellite, scheduled for liftoff at 8:18. Key points include the satellite's deployment sequence, which will occur in darkness, and the transition of control to Telesat's satellite control center in Ottawa after deployment. The launch is noted for its cost-effectiveness, with current fees at $13 million, expected to double in two years. The satellite will replace the aging Anec B, which is projected to terminate service in two years.

Launch coverage for STS-51A at T-minus 20 minutes, featuring a successful liftoff at 7:42 a.m. after a previous scrub due to upper-level wind shear. Key ascent milestones include solid rocket booster separation, main engine cutoff, and external tank separation. Notably, the launch faced an off-nominal moment when an integration console failed at T-minus 20 minutes, but the team managed to resolve the issue and proceed with the countdown smoothly.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-51A, highlighting the deployment of the SYNCOM satellite on flight day three. Key moments include Commander Dale Gardner describing the satellite's large size and slow departure from the payload bay, as well as the crew's successful execution of the on-orbit flight control system checkout. The commentary also notes the challenges faced during the retrieval of the Westar satellite, emphasizing the importance of preplanned contingency operations.

This recording features on-orbit mission commentary for STS-51A, highlighting the crew's deployment of the SYNCOM satellite on flight day three. Key moments include Commander Dale Gardner describing the satellite's large size and slow departure from the payload bay, as well as the crew's execution of the on-orbit flight control system checkout. The commentary also notes the challenges faced during the retrieval of the Westar satellite, emphasizing the importance of preplanned contingency operations.