41C_v_c_o_TPMBK (ca. 1982/83, prob. Martin Marietta photo, verso hand annotated cn 447-83)
A Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU)-clad astronaut is depicted working on the space shuttle-berthed Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite, aka “Solar Max”, while another, also wearing his MMU, photographically documents the activity from ‘above’.
Although the MMU was used during this particular mission, STS-41C, it was only during the failed initial attempt to grapple the satellite. Other than some other brief testing (I believe) of it/them during the mission, they were not otherwise operationally employed.
In November 1984, on STS-51A, the MMUs were used in a manner more similar to this artist’s concept. During the mission, Astronauts Joseph P. Allen & Dale Gardner used them, with other specialized equipment, to retrieve two wayward communication satellites, Westar VI and Palapa B2. The mission was to be the last time the MMUs flew.
Although no signature is visible, based on the MMU-centric nature of the work & it depicting SolarMax retrieval/repair, I think this beautiful work is by Martin Marietta’s immensely talented artist, Charles O. Bennett.
Continue to Rest In Peace Good Sir:
www.celestis.com/participants-testimonials/charles-oren-b...
Credit: Celestis Memorial Spaceflights website
41C_v_c_o_TPMBK (ca. 1982/83, prob. Martin Marietta photo, verso hand annotated cn 447-83)
A Manned Maneuvering Unit (MMU)-clad astronaut is depicted working on the space shuttle-berthed Solar Maximum Mission (SMM) satellite, aka “Solar Max”, while another, also wearing his MMU, photographically documents the activity from ‘above’.
Although the MMU was used during this particular mission, STS-41C, it was only during the failed initial attempt to grapple the satellite. Other than some other brief testing (I believe) of it/them during the mission, they were not otherwise operationally employed.
In November 1984, on STS-51A, the MMUs were used in a manner more similar to this artist’s concept. During the mission, Astronauts Joseph P. Allen & Dale Gardner used them, with other specialized equipment, to retrieve two wayward communication satellites, Westar VI and Palapa B2. The mission was to be the last time the MMUs flew.
Although no signature is visible, based on the MMU-centric nature of the work & it depicting SolarMax retrieval/repair, I think this beautiful work is by Martin Marietta’s immensely talented artist, Charles O. Bennett.
Continue to Rest In Peace Good Sir:
www.celestis.com/participants-testimonials/charles-oren-b...
Credit: Celestis Memorial Spaceflights website