Retro Space HD | SolarMax Capture Attempt - AI upscaled Shuttle TV footage - MMU, STS-41-C, 1984, Astronaut @RetroSpaceHD | Uploaded October 2022 | Updated October 2024, 17 hours ago.
AI upscaled TV footage from the SolarMax capture attempt during STS-41-C in 1984. Astronauts use the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) to leave the shuttle and attempt to capture the satellite.
Narration is from the post-flight press conference.
The original TV footage was SD quality and taken using 20fps field sequential color, similar to what was used in Apollo. Here full 60fps temporal resolution was restored, color artifacts due to movement removed, and resolution improved to 1080p using Topaz AI.
The sequence is first shown side by side and then only the upscaled video.
Research, cleanup, editing, and processing by Retro Space HD.
============================================
The Solar Maximum Mission satellite (or SolarMax) was designed to investigate Solar phenomena, particularly solar flares. It was launched on February 14, 1980. After an attitude control failure in Nov 1980 it was put in standby mode.
During STS-41-C in April 1984, the Space Shuttle Challenger rendezvoused with SolarMax, and astronauts James van Hoften and George Nelson attempted to use the Manned Maneuvering Unit to capture the satellite. The plan was to use an astronaut-piloted Maneuvering Unit to grapple the satellite with the Trunnion Pin Attachment Device (TPAD) mounted between the hand controllers of the Maneuvering Unit, null its rotation rates, and allow the Shuttle to bring it into the Shuttle's payload bay for stowage.
Three attempts to grapple the satellite failed. The TPAD jaws could not lock onto Solar Max because of an obstructing grommet on the satellite not included in its blueprints.
This led to an improvised plan which nearly ended the satellite's mission. The improvisation had the astronaut use his hands to grab hold of a solar array and null the rotation by a push from the Maneuvering Unit's thrusters. Instead, this attempt induced higher rates and in multiple axes; the satellite was tumbling out of control and quickly losing battery life.
The ground support engineers then stabilized the satellite and nulled its rotation rates for capture with the Shuttle's robotic arm. The robotic arm was able to capture and maneuver it into the shuttle's payload bay for repairs.
=========================================
A special thanks to the channel supporters ( patreon.com/RetroSpaceHD ):
Asbjørn
Bathypterois
Drew Granston
Elpacholag
Francis Bernier
Gary Smith
Gio Pagliari
Glenn W. Hussey
Jackson Johnson
Jan Strzelecki
Jeff Pleimling
Jules E
Kevin Spencer
Martin J Lollar
Michael Pennington
Nathan Koga
Noah Soderquist
Popio
Rick Durr
Ryan Hardy
Scott Manley
========================================
#mmu #shuttle #astronaut
AI upscaled TV footage from the SolarMax capture attempt during STS-41-C in 1984. Astronauts use the Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU) to leave the shuttle and attempt to capture the satellite.
Narration is from the post-flight press conference.
The original TV footage was SD quality and taken using 20fps field sequential color, similar to what was used in Apollo. Here full 60fps temporal resolution was restored, color artifacts due to movement removed, and resolution improved to 1080p using Topaz AI.
The sequence is first shown side by side and then only the upscaled video.
Research, cleanup, editing, and processing by Retro Space HD.
============================================
The Solar Maximum Mission satellite (or SolarMax) was designed to investigate Solar phenomena, particularly solar flares. It was launched on February 14, 1980. After an attitude control failure in Nov 1980 it was put in standby mode.
During STS-41-C in April 1984, the Space Shuttle Challenger rendezvoused with SolarMax, and astronauts James van Hoften and George Nelson attempted to use the Manned Maneuvering Unit to capture the satellite. The plan was to use an astronaut-piloted Maneuvering Unit to grapple the satellite with the Trunnion Pin Attachment Device (TPAD) mounted between the hand controllers of the Maneuvering Unit, null its rotation rates, and allow the Shuttle to bring it into the Shuttle's payload bay for stowage.
Three attempts to grapple the satellite failed. The TPAD jaws could not lock onto Solar Max because of an obstructing grommet on the satellite not included in its blueprints.
This led to an improvised plan which nearly ended the satellite's mission. The improvisation had the astronaut use his hands to grab hold of a solar array and null the rotation by a push from the Maneuvering Unit's thrusters. Instead, this attempt induced higher rates and in multiple axes; the satellite was tumbling out of control and quickly losing battery life.
The ground support engineers then stabilized the satellite and nulled its rotation rates for capture with the Shuttle's robotic arm. The robotic arm was able to capture and maneuver it into the shuttle's payload bay for repairs.
=========================================
A special thanks to the channel supporters ( patreon.com/RetroSpaceHD ):
Asbjørn
Bathypterois
Drew Granston
Elpacholag
Francis Bernier
Gary Smith
Gio Pagliari
Glenn W. Hussey
Jackson Johnson
Jan Strzelecki
Jeff Pleimling
Jules E
Kevin Spencer
Martin J Lollar
Michael Pennington
Nathan Koga
Noah Soderquist
Popio
Rick Durr
Ryan Hardy
Scott Manley
========================================
#mmu #shuttle #astronaut
