The Economic Times

In 1984, Challenger captured the failing SolarMax satellite; astronauts spent nearly seven hours repairing it before sending the observatory back to work

In 1984, a groundbreaking space mission adeptly salvaged the nearly inoperative SolarMax satellite. Astronauts successfully captured and repaired it after an earlier attempt fell short. This innovative mission laid the groundwork for contemporary orbital servicing techniques and inspired future endeavors in space telescope maintenance. Today's commercial satellite servicing entities consider this remarkable repair as the cornerstone of their industry.