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STS-51 / Discovery Patch

STS-51 / Discovery Patch

Item PASTS051 Price $4.95

This was Space Shuttle Discovery's second mission in space. It was the first flight ever to deploy two communications satellites and retrieve two other disabled satellites. The Canadian communications satellite Anik D-2 (Telesat H) and the Hughes 1 (Leasat 4-1) were deployed into geosynchronous orbits. Mission Specialists Joseph Allen and Dale Gardner, wearing their jet-propelled Manned Maneuvering Units, successfully retrieved the Palapa B-2 and Westar-6 satellites. With help of Mission Specialist Anna Fisher who operated the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator Systems, the astronauts successfully grappled the two satellites into the payload bay. Space Shuttle Discovery landed at Kennedy Space Center, FL on November 16 at 8:00 AM EST. Mission duration was seven days, 23 hours and 45 minutes. Space Shuttle Discovery traveled 3.3 million miles in 127 orbits.

Patch description: Designed by the crewmembers, the STS-51 crew patch honors all who have contributed to mission success. It symbolizes NASA's continuing quest to increase mankind's knowledge and use of space through this multi-faceted mission. The gold star represents the U.S. Advanced Communications Technology Satellite (ACTS) boosted by the Transfer Orbit Stage (TOS). The rays below the ACT\TOS represent the innovative communication technologies to be tested by this experiment. The stylized Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS) represents the German-sponsored ASTRO\SPAS mission. The constellation Orion below SPAS is representative of the types of stellar objects to be studied by its experimenters. The stars in Orion also commemorate the astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the space program. The ascending spiral, symbolizing America's continuing commitment to leadership in space exploration and development, originates with the thousands of persons who ensure the success of each Shuttle flight. The five large white stars, representing the five crewmembers, along with the single gold star, fomm the mission's numerical designation.

4" diameter embroidered patch.

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