Isdale.es@XEROX.ARPA (10/27/84)
From: Jerry <Isdale.es@XEROX.ARPA> The PBS "Enterprise show aired here in LA last wedensday (Oct.24) on channel 24 and was EXCELLENT!. I hope they show it again. I was interested in the "stinger" that the astronauts will use to recover the satellites. For those not familiar with it, its an assembly with a long rod that the spacewalker will insert into the satellite's rocket exhaust and then throw a lever that causes prongs to pop out from the shaft and keep the rod from being withdrawn from the satellite. It is a rather nice idea but I was wondering if the prongs were retractible? It would be a terrible mess if they weren't and something went wrong. Anybody on this list familiar with the equipment? Also aren't the satellites spinning? Do they intend to match the spin before grabing the satellite or grab it and then de-spin? Can the MMU handle such de-spin manuvers? Also the plan calls for the MMU to bring the satillites back to the shuttle and then use the arm to put them in the bay. Why not have the astronaut put it in the bay? Is this too complex a manuver? Too little space in the bay for the MMU and sattilite? ~ Jerry