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Flown Palapa B2 Apogee Rocket Motor Assembly

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:20,000.00 - 25,000.00 USD
Flown Palapa B2 Apogee Rocket Motor Assembly

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Auction Date:2014 Nov 20 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Flown commercial satellite Apogee Rocket Motor Assembly from the Palapa B2 satellite retrieved from space by the shuttle Discovery during the STS-51-A mission. Assembly, serial number 31, with its graphite closure measures approximately 30? tall with a nozzle diameter of approximately 23?. This assembly flew in space for over 119 million miles until it became the focus of the first ever satellite rescue mission. A small Morton Thiokol label is affixed to the included rectangular metal collar, and reads: “Project Name: Star 30 Palapa / Subject: Retrieval S/N 031 / Photo Date: 7/28/88 / Test Description: Disassembly.” In fine condition, with expected wear from firing.

Launched from shuttle mission STS-41B in February of 1984, the Palapa B failed to achieve geosynchronous orbit due to a design flaw of this very assembly. After its failed deployment, the satellite was purchased by Sattel Technologies which contracted NASA to retrieve it on the November 1984 STS-51-A shuttle mission. Sattel also contracted Hughes Aircraft Company and McDonnell Douglas to refurbish and relaunch the satellite. After its recovery, Thiokol corporation de-integrated this nozzle assembly with its graphite closure for analysis, and determined that it was a failure of this nozzle that was the root cause of the satellites inability to achieve proper orbit. A historically significant artifact from the first ever satellite recovered and returned to space. In compliance with ITAR regulations, this item is limited to purchase by US Citizens.