41D-32-067 (31 Aug 1984) --- The Atlantic Oceans coastline of Angola forms the backdrop for this scene of the Syncom IV (Leasat-2) spacecraft as it and the Space Shuttle Discovery begin their relative separation on Day Two of a busy-six-day 41-D mission. Moments, earlier in a Frisbee-like fashion, the spacecraft departed the Discovery’s cargo bay, marking the second of three scheduled satellite placements for the spacecraft’s maiden voyage. The scene was photographed with a 70mm camera aimed through the aft windows on the flight deck.

51D-31-081 (13 April 1985) --- 70mm view of the Syncom IV (LEASAT) communications satellite as it spins, frisbee fashion, from the cargo bay of the Earth orbiting Space Shuttle Discovery.

41D-02-020 (31 Aug 1984) --- The Syncom IV (Leasat-2) spacecraft stands out against white clouds above the Atlantic Ocean moments after departing the Discovery's cargo bay in a frisbee-like manner. The Syncom's deployment marked the second of three scheduled satellite placements for the six member crew of the six-day 41-D flight. A later frame (41D-32-067) shows the spacecraft after a slender antenna had been deployed.

View of the Syncom-IV (LEASAT) satellite from the flight deck window taken by Astronaut S. David Griggs.

51I-102-033 (31 August - 1 September 1985) --- This is one of a series of six photographs released by NASA covering the extravehicular activity (EVA) of astronauts James D. van Hoften and William F. Fisher, who helped to capture, repair and release the previously errant Syncom IV-3 communications satellite. Here, Dr. van Hoften has just given a shove to the the Syncom. (For orientation, moon should be in lower right quadrant).

51I-102-029 (31 August - 1 September 1985) --- This is one of a series of six photographs released by NASA covering the extravehicular activity (EVA) of astronauts James D. van Hoften and William F. Fisher, who helped to capture, repair and release the previously errant Syncom IV-3 communications satellite. Here, Dr. van Hoften has just given a shove to the the Syncom. (For orientation, moon should be in lower right quadrant).

STS032-87-030 (10 Jan 1990) --- The Syncom IV-5 communications satellite leaves the cargo bay of Columbia, as crewmembers aboard the record-setting Space Shuttle successfully complete the first of two major tasks for STS-32. Two days later, the five astronauts successfully captured the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF). The Syncom satellite, also called Leasat, is to be leased to the U.S. Navy by Hughes Aircraft Co. The crew went on to spend 11 days aboard Columbia before a successful landing at Edwards Air Force Base.

51I-S-237 (1 Sept. 1985) --- A still photo made from a video downlink shows astronaut James D. van Hoften, just after giving a shove to the Syncom IV-3 communications satellite. NASA's 51-I astronaut crew aboard the space shuttle Discovery had earlier captured and repaired the previously errant satellite. Photo credit: NASA

Astronaut Sherwood Springer prepares for an underwater test at Weightless Environment Training Facility (WETF) in response to the discovery of problems with the 04/13 deployed Syncom IV (LEASAT) communications satellite. Activities, Bldg. 29, WETF for the STS-23/51D Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Simulation for Syncom IV, 04/14/1985. 1. Shuttle - Simulation (SYNCOM IV) 2. Astronaut Jerry L. Ross - Simulation (SYNCOM) 3. Astronaut Sherwood C. Spring - Simulation (SYNCOM IV) JSC, Houston, TX

In this photograph the SYNCOM IV-3, also known as LEASAT 3, satellite moves away from the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery. SYNCOM (Hughes Geosynchronous Communication Satellite) provides communication services from geosynchronous orbit, principally to the U.S. Government. The satellite was launched on April 12, 1985, aboard the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery.

The TELESAT-1, also known as ANIK C-1, satellite is being released from the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery during STS-51D, the 16th Shuttle mission. TELESAT-1 is a communication satellite built for Telesat Canada to provide voice and TV coverage of the Earth stations to trans-Canada network. Also shows in this photograph is an anterna for SYNCOM IV-3, also known as LEASAT-3, folded in a stowage. The SYNCOM is the Hughes Geosynchronous Communication Satellite and provides communication services from geosynchronous orbits principally to the U.S. Government. Both satellites were launched on April 12, 1985, aboard the Space Shuttle Orbiter Discovery.

Flight controllers in the JSC mission control center watch television transmissions of Discovery's rendezvous activities with the Syncom-IV (LEASAT) satellite and follow new data on their individual consoles.

51D-07-003 (12-19 April 1985) --- Astronaut Rhea Seddon begins early work on a fly swatter-like snagging device to be used as an extension to the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm on Discovery for an April 17, 1985 attempt to trip a lever on the troubled Syncom-IV satellite.

51I-44-081 (1 Sept 1985) --- Astronaut James D. van Hoften on the Discovery's remote manipulator system (RMS) arm visually tracks the distant Syncom IV-3 communications satellite after its second release, on Sept. 1, 1985.

51I-41-086 (1 September 1985) --- Astronaut James D. van Hoften, mission specialist, flexes his muscles in celebration of a triumphant extravehicular task. Clouds over the ocean form the backdrop for this 70mm scene, toward the end of a two-day effort to capture, repair and release the previously errant Syncom IV-3 communications satellite. Van Hoften, anchored to a special foot restraint device on the end of Discovery's Remote Manipulator System (RMS), had just performed the final "shove" that started the relative separation of the Shuttle and the Syncom, which is not far out of frame. He had been joined by astronaut William F. Fisher for the busy two days of EVA.

S85-30800 (14 April 1985) --- Astronaut Bruce McCandless II tests one of the possible methods of attempting to activate a switch on the Syncom-IV (LEASAT) satellite released April 13 into space from the Space Shuttle Discovery. The communications spacecraft failed to behave properly upon release and NASA officials and satellite experts are considering possible means of repair. McCandless was using a full scale mockup of the satellite in the Johnson Space Center's (JSC) mockup and integration laboratory.

The STS-32 patch, designed by the five crewmembers for the scheduled December 1989 space mission, depicts the Space Shuttle orbiter rendezvousing with the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite from above. The Syncom satellite is successfully deployed and on its way to geosynchronous orbit. Five stars have been arranged so that three are one side of the orbiter and two on the other to form the number 32. The seven major rays of the sun are in remembrance of the crewmembers for STS 51-L.

The crew assigned to the STS-51I mission included (front row left to right) Joe H. Engle, commander; and Richard O. Covey, pilot. In the center is John M. (Mike) Lounge, mission specialist. On the back row, from left to right, are mission specialists James D. van Hoften, and William F. Fisher. Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on August 27, 1985 at 6:58:01 am (EDT), the STS-51I mission’s primary payloads were three communication satellites: the ASC-1 for the American Satellite Company; the AUSSAT-1, an Australian communications satellite; and the SYNCOM-IV-4, the synchronous communications satellite.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-32R lifts off from Pad 39-A at 7:35 a.m. EST. Columbia is scheduled to deploy the Syncom IV-5 defense communications satellite and retrieve NASA's Long duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) during a 10-day mission, the longest Shuttle flight to date. The mission also includes a variety of experiments, including Protein Crystal Growth. This photo was taken from the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- STS-32R lifts off from Pad 39-A at 7:35 a.m. EST. Columbia is scheduled to deploy the Syncom IV-5 defense communications satellite and retrieve NASA's Long duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) during a 10-day mission, the longest Shuttle flight to date. The mission also includes a variety of experiments, including Protein Crystal Growth. This photo was taken from the Shuttle Training Aircraft.

51I-102-048 (4-5 Sept 1985) --- A 35mm frame showing astronaut William F. Fisher standing on the edge of Discovery's cargo bay (in foot restraint) during the second day of a two-day effort to capture, repair and re-release the Syncom IV-3 communications satellite. Astronaut James D. van Hoften, standing on the Discovery's RMS arm, exposed the frame.

51I-44-012 (1 Sept. 1985) --- Astronaut James D. van Hoften looks on as the Syncom IVC-3 satellite responds to his push against it moments earlier. Dr. van Hoften, mission specialist, is anchored to a foot restraint on the end of the remote manipulator system (RMS) arm of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Discovery. The 51-I crew members showed this photograph at their Sept. 11 postflight press conference. Photo credit: NASA

51I-11-027 (1 Sept 1985) --- The extravehicular activity (EVA) of astronauts William F. Fisher (left) and James D. van Hoften succeeded in the capture, repair and re-release of the troubled Syncom IV-3 satellite. Here, the two take a break from the serious side of their EVA to look into the Discovery's cabin. The 51-I crewmembers showed this scene at their Sept. 11 post-flight press conference.

STS032-S-062 (9 Jan 1990) --- Inside the White Room at Launch Pad 39A, a suit technician helps astronaut Daniel C. Brandenstein, mission commander, suit up for the launch of the orbiter Columbia on Shuttle Mission STS-32. Dubious weather at the return-to-launch site (RTLS) caused postponement of yesterday's planned launch. During the ten day mission, the five member crew is scheduled to deploy the SYNCOM IV-5 military communications satellite and retrieve the Long Duration Exposure Facility.

Five astronauts launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on January 9, 1990 at 7:35:00am (EST) for the STS-32 mission. The crew included David C. Brandenstein, commander; James D. Weatherbee, pilot; and mission specialists Marsha S. Ivins, G. David Low, and Bonnie J. Dunbar. Primary objectives of the mission were the deployment of the SYNCOM IV-F5 defense communications satellite and the retrieval of NASA’s Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF).

Five astronauts launched aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on January 9, 1990 at 7:35:00am (EST) for the STS-32 mission. The crew included David C. Brandenstein, commander; James D. Weatherbee, pilot; and mission specialists Marsha S. Ivins, G. David Low, and Bonnie J. Dunbar. Primary objectives of the mission were the deployment of the SYNCOM IV-F5 defense communications satellite and the retrieval of NASA’s Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF).

51D-44-046 (17 April 1985) --- The Space Shuttle Discovery's Remote Manipulator System (RMS) arm and two specially designed extensions move toward the troubled Syncom-IV (LEASAT) communications satellite during a station keeping mode of the two spacecraft in Earth orbit. Inside the Shuttle's cabin, astronaut Rhea Seddon, 51D mission specialist, controlled the Canadian-built arm in an attempt to move an external lever on the satellite. Crewmembers learned of the satellite's problems shortly after it was deployed from the cargo bay on April 13, 1985. The arm achieved physical contact with the lever as planned. However, the satellite did not respond to the contact as hoped. A 70mm handheld Hassellblad camera, aimed through Discovery's windows, recorded this frame -- one of the first to be released to news media following return of the seven-member crew on April 17, 1985.

51I-44-014 (31 Aug-1 Sept. 1985) --- This photograph is one of a series of six covering extravehicular activity (EVA) which were released by NASA on Sept. 4, 1985. Here, astronaut James D. van Hoften, dwarfed by the large satellite, moves in for initial contact. Astronaut John M. (Mike) Lounge, out of frame inside cabin, maneuvers the remote manipulator system (RMS) arm to assist astronauts van Hoften and William F. Fisher. Photo credit: NASA

The crew assigned to the STS-51D mission included (front left to right) Karol J. Bobko, commander; Donald E. Williams, pilot; M. Rhea Seddon, mission specialist; and Jeffrey A. Hoffman, mission specialist. On the back row, left to right, are S. David Griggs, mission specialist; and payload specialists Charles D. Walker, and E. Jake Garn (Republican Utah Senator). Launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on April 12, 1985 at 8:59:05 am (EST), the STS-51D mission’s primary payloads were the TELESAT-1 (ANIK-C) communications satellite and the SYNCOM IV-3 (also known as LEASAT-3).

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. -- At 7:35 a.m. EST on January 9, the Space Shuttle Columbia roars aloft from KSC's Pad 39-A into the Florida skies. During the ten-day STS-32 mission, the five-member crew is scheduled to deploy the SYNCOM IV-5 military communications satellite and retrieve the Long Duration Exposure Facility. STS-32 marks the 33rd Shuttle mission since flight operations began in 1981. Crew members are: Commander Daniel C. Brandenstein; Pilot James D. Wetherbee; and Mission Specialists Marsha S. Ivins, G. David Low, and Bonnie J. Dunbar

S89-41597 (Nov 1989) --- Astronaut Bonnie J. Dunbar, wearing an extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) spacesuit, prepares to don gloves and subsequently a helmet and to be lowered by a hoist device for a session of underwater training in the Johnson Space Center's weightless environment training facility (WET-F). Minutes later, Astronauts Dunbar and G. David Low, mission specialists, were neutrally buoyant in the nearby 25-ft. deep pool simulating a contingency extravehicular activity (EVA) for the scheduled December 1989 STS-32 mission. There are no scheduled EVAs for the crew, whose main missions are to retrieve the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) and to deploy a Syncom satellite.

S89-41600 (Nov 1989) --- Astronaut Bonnie J. Dunbar, wearing an extravehicular mobility unit (EMU) spacesuit, prepares to don a helmet and be lowered by a hoist device for a session of underwater training in the Johnson Space Center's weightless environment training facility (WET-F). Minutes later, Astronauts Dunbar and G. David Low, mission specialists, were neutrally buoyant in the nearby 25-ft. deep pool simulating a contingency extravehicular activity (EVA) for the scheduled December 1989 STS-32 mission. There are no scheduled EVAs for the crew, whose main missions are to retrieve the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) and to deploy a Syncom satellite.

51D-04-015 (15 April 1985) --- Astronaut Rhea Seddon and Karol J. Bobko continue work on snag-type extension for the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) as part of an effort to activate a lever on a troubled communications satellite. Since the crew learned soon after deployment of the Syncom IV (LEASAT) spacecraft that it was not functioning properly plans were formulated for a rendezvous in space between the Discovery and the satellite. A fly swatter-like extension and another resembling a LaCrosse stick were fashioned from onboard supplies and furnishings. Stowage lockers nearby serve as a work bench for the two. At various times during the seven-day mission, the majority of the seven-member crew participated in the tool-making and preparations for an extravehicular activity (EVA) by the flights other two mission specialists -- Jeffrey A. Hoffman and S. David Griggs -- to connect the two tools to the RMS. Bobko is mission commander and Dr. Seddon, a mission specialist.

S85-30878 (15 April 1985) --- Astronaut Jerry L. Ross, left, and Astronaut candidate Mark C. Lee rehearse the deployment of two specially designed flyswatter like tools on the end of the orbiter's remote manipulator system (RMS) arm. Their "dry" run of a planned Discovery STS 51-D extravehicular activity (EVA) is actually not so dry, since it is held in a 25 ft. deep pool, part of the Johnson Space Center's (JSC) weightless environment test facility (WET-F). Astronauts Jeffrey A. Hoffman and S. David Griggs, two 51-D mission specialists, have been assigned the task of April 16's EVA. A rendezvous with the troubled Syncom IV (LEASAT) satellite has been scheduled for the day after the EVA, and an attempt will be made by the arm to trip an important lever on the troubled communications satellite.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- At the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the payloads for the STS-41D space shuttle flight are shown loaded in Discovery’s cargo bay. With the orbiter in the vertical position at Launch Pad 39A, the payloads are, from top to bottom, OAST-1 a 102-foot-tall, 13-foot-wide Office of Application and Space Technology solar panel), the Satellite Business System SBS-D , Telstar 3-C, and Syncom IV-2. The six day mission is scheduled for launch on Aug. 29, 1984. The six crew members are Commander Henry W. Hartsfield Jr., Pilot Michael L. Coats, Mission Specialists Judith A. Resnik, Steven A. Hawley, Richard M. Mullane, and Payload Specialist Charles D. Walker. Photo Credit: NASA

S89-44076 (November 1989) --- The STS-32 patch, designed by the five crew members for the scheduled December 1989 space mission, depicts the space shuttle orbiter rendezvousing with the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) satellite from above. The Syncom satellite is successfully deployed and on its way to geosynchronous orbit. Five stars have been arranged so that three are one side of the orbiter and two on the other to form the number 32. The seven major rays of the sun are in remembrance of the crew members for STS51-L. In preparation for the first Extended Duration Orbiter (EDO) missions, STS-32 will conduct a number of medical and middeck scientific experiments. The caduceus on the left represents the medical experiments, and the crystalline structure on the right represents the materials science. The crew is comprised of astronauts Daniel C. Brandenstein, James D. Wetherbee, Bonnie J. Dunbar, Marsha S. Ivins and G. David Low. The NASA insignia design for space shuttle flights is reserved for use by the astronauts and for other official use as the NASA Administrator may authorize. Public availability has been approved only in the form of illustrations by the various news media. When and if there is any change in this policy, which is not anticipated, it will be publicly announced. Photo credit: NASA

STS032-57-006 (9-20 Jan 1990) --- The five astronaut crew members used a pre-set 35mm camera to take this in-flight crew portrait. Astronauts Daniel C. Brandenstein (right, rear), mission commander, and James D. Wetherbee (left, rear), pilot, were in charge of controlling the Space Shuttle Columbia during its record-setting 11-day stay in Earth-orbit as well as performing a variety of other chores. Mission specialists performing a number of experiments and tackling a myriad of miscellaneous tasks were, left to right on the front row: astronauts Marsha S. Ivins, Bonnie J. Dunbar and G. David Low. Together the quintet retrieved the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF), released into space the Syncom IV-5 communications satellite, took photos of Earth, performed troubleshooting duties and adhered to a busy agenda during their stay aboard Columbia. This picture was used by the astronauts at their January 30, 1990 Post Flight Press Conference (PFPC) at the Johnson Space Center (JSC).