Teleoperator Retrieval System

<h2 id="description">Description</h2>
TRS was a design for an uncrewed robotic <a href="/facts/Space_tug/TSHIGzdX">space tug</a> designed to be capable of remote payload observation and boosting or de-orbiting another spacecraft. It was developed to potentially re-boost the Skylab space station to a higher orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:2" href="#fn:2">2</a> After <a href="/facts/Skylab_4/8Pbave69">Skylab 4</a>, the third crewed mission to <a href="/facts/Skylab/h7v9LWKE">Skylab</a>, plans were made to boost the station into a higher orbit to extend its service life or to de-orbit it into a remote ocean area.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3">3</a> A remotely controlled booster rocket was to be carried up in the Space Shuttle's third mission. Astronaut <a href="/facts/Jack_R._Lousma/43vYaR1v">Jack R. Lousma</a> described the remote booster as "as big as a truck" and requiring a control system able to match the circular motion of the Skylab docking port.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4">4</a> The core of TRS was a propulsion system that could accommodate additional fuel modules. It had a 24 nozzle 6-axis control thruster system to support <a href="/facts/Space_rendezvous/8KlcQyyf">Space rendezvous</a>, docking, and orienting the spacecraft.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5">5</a>
Other options for launching TRS were <a href="/facts/Titan_III/sTTkEDps">Titan III</a> or <a href="/facts/Atlas_Agena/pneWJf6H">Atlas Agena</a>. Some launch options might have required two launches. Martin Marietta proposed the Titan III for launching TRS.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6">6</a> The <a href="/facts/Titan_IIIC/CBwS4Jyd">Titan IIIC</a> could carry 29,600 lbs to low Earth orbit.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7">7</a>

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
The TRS was ordered in October 1977 to be ready for use in late 1979. The TRS had two major possible uses, to either re-boost or de-orbit Skylab. The decision whether to use TRS was planned to be made in 1979.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8">8</a>
Although TRS was initiated in 1977, it made use of developments in tele-operation going back to the 1960s. In addition, another reason for its selection was the long-term use for task in general including "payload
survey, stabilization, retrieval and delivery missions, recovery and re-use capability.."<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9">9</a>
The TRS project was overseen by the NASA <a href="/facts/Marshall_Spaceflight_Center/Q5XqseqT">Marshall Spaceflight Center</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10">10</a>
Because of delays in <a href="/facts/STS-1/DLnJNV3G">STS-1</a>, the first shuttle launch, Lousma and <a href="/facts/Fred_Haise/Eo4nb9P0">Fred Haise</a> were reassigned to the second shuttle mission.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11">11</a> NASA expected that the Shuttle would be ready by 1979, and Skylab would not re-enter until the early 1980s. Another factor was that, in 1975, it was decided not to launch a second Skylab (<a href="/facts/Skylab_B/lbLVYJfV">Skylab B</a>); this gave a boost to Skylab re-use plans. As it was, the Shuttle was not ready until the early 1980s, and Skylab's orbit decayed in 1979.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12">12</a> Lousma and Haise's mission was canceled when NASA realized that STS-1 would not be early enough before the station's reentry.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:13" href="#fn:13">13</a>

<h2 id="missions">Missions</h2>
Although the TRS in development was focused on Skylab boosting, it was thought it could be used for other satellites.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:14" href="#fn:14">14</a>
Possible future missions:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:15" href="#fn:15">15</a> 

<ul><li>"payload retrieval at higher orbits than Shuttle is designed to achieve"</li>
<li>"large structure assembly"</li>
<li>"emergency payload repairs"</li>
<li>"retrieval of unstable objects or <a href="/facts/Space_debris/X7YSKlXl">space debris</a>"</li></ul>
<h2 id="specifications">Specifications</h2>
Parts of the core, a box-like structure at center:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:16" href="#fn:16">16</a>

<ul><li>1.2 by 1.2 by 1.5 meters (4 by 4 by 5 feet) structural box</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Spacecraft_attitude_control/hE6aMu26">attitude</a> control thrusters</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Propellant_tank/fRTq9zDS">propellant tank</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Guidance_system/Qhjm4enq">guidance system</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Navigation_system/mdhUrqFM">navigation system</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Control_system/8CEjIDlS">control system</a></li>
<li>communications and data management system</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Docking_and_berthing_of_spacecraft/zUWc9rvu">docking system</a></li>
<li>two <a href="/facts/Tv_camera/D4IkThKy">TV cameras</a></li></ul>
The core was surrounded by four strap-on propulsion modules, which include an additional propellant tank with its own rocket engines.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:17" href="#fn:17">17</a>

<h2 id="thruster-systems-and-boost-rockets">Thruster systems and boost rockets</h2>
There was a triple group of <a href="/facts/Attitude_(geometry)/Tj24mTJ8">attitude</a> (direction) thrusters on each of the spacecraft's eight corners.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:18" href="#fn:18">18</a> Each thruster was intended to produce a thrust of 2.25 to 4.5-kilograms (5 to 10-pounds) <a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:19" href="#fn:19">19</a> These thrusters would be used for leaving the Shuttle's payload bay and for rendezvous and docking with Skylab.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:20" href="#fn:20">20</a>
For the Skylab boost or de-orbit, the TRS would have four strap-on boosters each with 680 kg (1,500 Ib.) of <a href="/facts/Hydrazine/G7P5ITzU">hydrazine</a> rocket fuel.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:21" href="#fn:21">21</a> This was a modular design, and the TRS could also be used with 2-strap on boosters if the mission, if it only needed that amount.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:22" href="#fn:22">22</a> In other words, the TRS was designed for use with 4 boosters, but it was also intended it could also use 2 for example.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:23" href="#fn:23">23</a>

<h2 id="control-systems">Control systems</h2>

The TRS had its own computing and control systems, or it would be controlled by a crewman in the <a href="/facts/Space_Shuttle_orbiter/pD50Txk9">Shuttle Orbiter</a> vehicle.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:24" href="#fn:24">24</a>

<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Mission_Extension_Vehicle/5nM5QDyy">Mission Extension Vehicle</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Orbital_station-keeping/tNNee2Dm">Orbital station-keeping</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="further-reading">Further reading</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf">NASA - Teleoperator Retrieval System</a> (Release number 78-49)</li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1">New Scientist. Reed Business Information. 1978-05-11. <a href="https://books.google.com/books?id=dw7Vu20g1cEC&q=Teleoperator+Retrieval+System&pg=PA350" target="_blank">https://books.google.com/books?id=dw7Vu20g1cEC&q=Teleoperator+Retrieval+System&pg=PA350</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:2">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:3">"Teleoperator Retrieval System Press Kit - Space Shuttle - Docking And Berthing Of Spacecraft". Scribd. <a href="https://www.scribd.com/document/49107316/Teleoperator-Retrieval-System-Press-Kit" target="_blank">https://www.scribd.com/document/49107316/Teleoperator-Retrieval-System-Press-Kit</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:4">"NASA - Johnson Space Center History". <a href="https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/LousmaJR/LousmaJR_3-15-10.htm" target="_blank">https://www.jsc.nasa.gov/history/oral_histories/LousmaJR/LousmaJR_3-15-10.htm</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:5">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:6">"Skylab's Untimely Fate". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved 2017-01-10. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161228033500/http://astronautix.com/s/skylabsuntimelyfate.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161228033500/http://astronautix.com/s/skylabsuntimelyfate.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:7">"Rockets and Missiles". www.spaceline.org. <a href="https://www.spaceline.org/rocketsum/titan-IIIc.html" target="_blank">https://www.spaceline.org/rocketsum/titan-IIIc.html</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:8">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:9">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:10">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:11">"Jack Lousma: We Were Going to Rescue Skylab". Air & Space. 2010-11-18. <a href="https://www.airspacemag.com/multimedia/in-the-age-of-spaceplanes-72344760/?page=1" target="_blank">https://www.airspacemag.com/multimedia/in-the-age-of-spaceplanes-72344760/?page=1</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:12">"Skylab's Untimely Fate". www.astronautix.com. Archived from the original on December 28, 2016. Retrieved 2017-01-10. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20161228033500/http://astronautix.com/s/skylabsuntimelyfate.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20161228033500/http://astronautix.com/s/skylabsuntimelyfate.html</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:13">"Jack Lousma: We Were Going to Rescue Skylab". Air & Space. 2010-11-18. <a href="https://www.airspacemag.com/multimedia/in-the-age-of-spaceplanes-72344760/?page=1" target="_blank">https://www.airspacemag.com/multimedia/in-the-age-of-spaceplanes-72344760/?page=1</a> <a href="#fnref:13" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:14">Powers, Robert M. (2017-09-15). The World's First Spaceship Shuttle. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811766241. <a href="9780811766241" target="_blank">9780811766241</a> <a href="#fnref:14" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:15">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:15" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:16">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:16" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:17">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:17" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:18">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:18" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:19">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:19" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:20">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:20" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:21">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:21" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:22">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:22" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:23">NASA develops teleoperator retrieval system 1978 <a href="https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf" target="_blank">https://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/19780011828.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:23" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
<li id="fn:24">Powers, Robert M. (2017-09-15). The World's First Spaceship Shuttle. Stackpole Books. ISBN 9780811766241. <a href="9780811766241" target="_blank">9780811766241</a> <a href="#fnref:24" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></li>
</ol>

Teleoperator Retrieval System open-in-new

Teleoperator Retrieval System