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.

STS007-18-770 (18-24 June 1983) --- Telesat-F communications satellite is just about to clear the vertical stabilizer of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Challenger to begin its way toward its Earth-orbital destination.

51D-31-050 (12 April 1985) --- Among 51-D's first day activities was the deployment of the Telesat-I (Anik C-1) communications satellite. Earth and blackness of space share the background in the 70mm frame.

STS005-41-1311 (17 Nov. 1982) --- The Telesat Canada's ANIK C-3 satellite is deployed from its protective cradle in the cargo bay of the space shuttle Columbia. Part of Columbia's wings can be seen on both the port and starboard sides. Part of both orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods are seen at center. The vertical stabilizer is obscured by the satellite. 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).

S83-35782 (18 June 1983) --- An Orbital Maneuvering System (OMS) engine firing caused this bright glow at the aft end of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Challenger on June 18, 1983. Also visible in the 70mm exposure are parts of the Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-01). The experiment package for NASA's Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications (OSTA-2), the protective cradles for the Indonesian Palapa-B and Telesat Canada Anik C2 satellites, some getaway special (GAS) canisters and the Canadian-built Remote Manipulator System (RMS). The firing took place less than an hour after deployment of Anik. Photo credit: NASA

S83-35764 (19 June 1983) --- The Indonesian Palapa B communications satellite is just about to clear the vertical stabilizer of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Challenger to begin its way toward its Earth-orbital destination. Also visible in this 70mm exposure, photographed through the flight deck?s aft windows, are the Shuttle pallet satellite, the experiment package for NASA?s office of space and terrestrial applications (OSTA-2), the now vacated protective cradles for Palapa and Telesat Canada?s Anik C2 satellites, some getaway special (GAS) canisters and the Canadian-built remote manipulator system (RMS) arm.

S83-35803 (22 June 1983) --- The Earth-orbiting space shuttle Challenger against the blackness of space was captured by a 70mm camera onboard the temporarily free-flying Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-01) during a busy Day 5 on the STS-7 mission. Visible in the cargo bay are the protective cradles for the now vacated Telesat Anik C2 and Palapa B communications satellites, the pallet for the NASA Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications (OSTA-2); the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and the KU-Band antenna. The STS-7 astronaut crew with the RMS arm later retrieved the SPAS and returned it to a stowed position in the cargo bay for the return to Earth. Photo credit: NASA

STS007-32-1702 (22 June 1983) --- The Earth-orbiting space shuttle Challenger beyond the Earth's horizon was captured by a 70mm camera onboard the unmanned, free-flying Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-01) during the busy flight day 5 of the STS-7 mission. Visible in the cargo bay are the protective cradles for the now-vacated Telesat Anik C-2 and Palapa B communications satellites, the pallet for the NASA Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications (OSTA-02), the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and the KU-Band antenna. The STS-7 crew with the RMS later retrieved the SPAS and returned it to a stowed position in the cargo bay for return to Earth. Photo credit: NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration

STS007-32-1667 (22 June 1983) --- The Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Challenger over a heavily cloud-covered portion of the Earth was captured by a 70mm camera onboard the temporarily free-flying Shuttle Pallet Satellite (SPAS-01) during a busy Day 5 on the STS-7 mission. Visible in the cargo bay are the protective cradles for the now vacated Telesat Anik C2 and Palapa-B communications satellites, the pallet for the NASA Office of Space and Terrestrial Applications (OSTA-2); the Remote Manipulator System (RMS) and the KU-Band antenna. The STS-7 astronaut crew and the RMS arm later retrieved the SPAS and returned it to a stowed position in the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Challenger for the return to Earth.

S82-39793 (11 Nov. 1982) --- The Satellite Business Systems (SBS-3) spacecraft springs from its protective ?cradle? in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Columbia and head toward a series of maneuvers that will eventually place it in a geosynchronous orbit. This moment marks a milestone for the Space Transportation System (STS) program, as the placement of the communications satellites represents the first deployment of a commercial satellite from an orbiting space vehicle. Part of Columbia?s wings can be seen on both the port and starboard sides. Also both orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods are seen at center. The vertical stabilizer is obscured by the satellite. The closed protective cradle device shielding Telesat Canada?s ANIK C-3 spacecraft is seen between the other shield and the OMS pod. ANIK is to be launched on the mission?s second day. This photograph was exposed through the aft windows of the flight deck. Photo credit: NASA