13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle The Space Shuttle: 6. Satellite for sale
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Aug 18, 2025 Join Joe Allen, a former nuclear physicist and astronaut, and Rick Houck, mission commander and veteran astronaut, as they dive into the thrilling challenges of a 1984 NASA mission. They discuss the nerve-wracking task of retrieving two stranded $75 million satellites in orbit. With unexpected setbacks and an innovative female astronaut leading the charge, the crew navigates the complexities of spacewalks, improvises under pressure, and reflects on the human elements of balancing motherhood and career in the cosmos.
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Stranded Satellites Spark Rescue Mission
- Two satellites worth $150 million were stranded in wrong orbit after a shuttle launch failure in February 1984.
- NASA crew was tasked to attempt an unprecedented in-orbit rescue within months, despite high risk.
Simulator Nights To Perfect The Grab
- Flight controller Ron Zaguli volunteered to develop a capture plan using the shuttle's robotic arm.
- He and Anna Fisher trained intensively in the simulator to perfect the maneuver.
Simplicity Solved A Complex Problem
- NASA chose a simple mechanical "stinger" to capture the satellite rather than a complex retrofit.
- The low-tech folded-umbrella design enabled a reliable grip on a spinning, feature-poor target.