Satellite salvage: high-tech handwork. (DePauw users only)Science News; November 24 1984, Vol. 126, p326
Recent exercises by the Challenger and Discovery space shuttles prove that in-orbit satellite adjustments or pick-up can be accomplished safely. Challenger fixed a minor problem on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite in April, and in November Discovery captured Western Union's Westar VI and Indonesia's Palapa B2 satellites from misguided orbits. The two communications craft were returned to the shuttle manually because of unforeseen problems with the remote equipment. Insurance underwriters and satellite manufacturers are interested in the operations, but the long-term value of such salvage skills are yet to be determined. The ability of astronaut Joseph P. Allen to hold the satellites in his hands was a revelation to scientists and opens up future technological research.
