alb@alice.UUCP (Adam L. Buchsbaum) (02/07/84)
Palapa B, ejected by the Challenger today, was found in a useless orbit of 172 by 750 miles, far short of its projected 22,300 mile orbit and similar to that of its twin, Westar VI. The failure is the third major setback of 41B. Tomorrow, the astronauts will attempt the spacewalk using the new jet backpacks.