Word: backpacking
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...image could have come from a once and future fantasy, yet it aired on the evening news. A U.S. astronaut, looking like a modern knight-errant in shining space suit, sallies forth into the darkness, powered by a Buck Rogers backpack called an MMU (manned maneuvering unit). Armed with a space-age lance nicknamed the stinger, he spears a stray satellite and rockets back to the mother ship. There, silhouetted against the shimmering earth some 225 miles below, he spins along at 17,500 m.p.h., shouldering his prize like a sci-fi Atlas...
...Using "Mighty Joe Allen," as one reporter called him, instead of the hook was to prove exceptionally efficient. By Wednesday morning the other rogue canister was in view; an awestruck Gardner exclaimed, "Look at that satellite!" This time it was his turn to sail forth in the Buck Rogers backpack, his body silhouetted against the Gulf of Mexico. And when he, too, easily pierced Westar with his stinger, he radioed over to his partner, "Joe, it's just like you said...
...Solar Maximum Mission scientific satellite damaged in 1980. The space agency set out to fix the sophisticated $75 million instrument on the eleventh shuttle flight last April. But Astronaut George Nelson was unable to grasp the Solar Max with a device mounted on the arms of his backpack. An alternate technique worked, but the failed grappler plan had to be abandoned. In June, Astronaut Dale Gardner, who would be part of last week's mission, sketched out an alternative idea on the back of an envelope. The now famous stinger was born...
...crew's involvement in mission planning was not limited to the stinger. Hauck suggested that the shuttle close to within 35 ft. of the satellites, instead of the 200-ft. distance maintained with Solar Max. The reason: to save the backpack's propulsion fuel. Meanwhile, ground controllers made plans to slow the satellites' spin from 22 to two rotations a minute. They prepared to send signals, putting the two satellites in the same orbital plane, 690 miles apart...
...route system and expanded the range of services offered. Virtually every carrier now funnels traffic through efficient hub terminals that link the cities it serves. For the most part, the industry has divided itself into two complementary groups. On the one hand are what some analysts call "the backpack and raisin" carriers such as People and Muse, which offer low fares. On the other are such established airlines as United, Delta, American and Northwest, which offer something for everyone while concentrating on travelers who want reasonable comfort and firm reservations. Yet another development has been the expansion of commuter...