[net.columbia] Palapa B Found in Useless Orbit

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.