Space Shuttle Intelsat Satellite Cradle

Space Shuttle Intelsat Satellite Cradle

This U-shaped cradle was made to hold an Intelsat satellite inside the cargo bay of the Space Shuttle Atlantis. Once in space, the Shuttle could open its cargo bay doors to deploy satellites into orbit. A mechanism at the top of the cradle was designed to ‘flick’ the satellite, causing it to spin as it was released into space – a bit like a catapult. This spinning motion helps keep a satellite stable as it orbits the Earth.

Built to launch the Intelsat VI F-1 communications satellite, the cradle was scheduled to launch aboard Atlantis in 1987. However, after the Challenger disaster in 1986, the entire Space Shuttle fleet was grounded. By the time the Shuttle returned to flight, NASA had abandoned commercial satellite launches. Intelsat VI F-1 was re-designated Intelsat 601 and launched in 1991 aboard an Ariane 4 rocket – without the need for this space launch catapult.

Intelsat 601 was operated in a geostationary orbit above the equator up until its retirement in 2011. Satellites in geostationary orbit travel at the same speed as the Earth rotates – enabling them to stay in a fixed point relative to the ground. The Intelsat VI series of satellites bounced telephone and television signals all around the globe thanks to geostationary orbiting. A result of a collaboration between American, UK, French, Italian, German, and Japanese companies, Intelsat 601 was one of the most sophisticated satellites of its time.

After 20 years in service the satellite was retired by placing it into a graveyard orbit.