40 Years Ago In Aviation Week: The First Satellite Repair In Space

astronaut conducting first satellite repair in space

Astronaut George D. Nelson flew the Martin Marietta maneuvering unit to get into position to dock with and repair NASA's Solar Maximum satellite mounted on space shuttle Challenger.

Credit: U.S. Navy Capt. Robert L. Crippen/NASA
Our cover of June 4, 1984 , showcased the first repair of a satellite in space. Astronauts James D. van Hoften and George D. Nelson were pictured replacing a failed attitude control system on NASA’s Solar Maximum satellite, which had been captured by space shuttle Challenger. Solar Maximum, the only...

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