NASA Photo ID: STS056-36-008 File Name: 10073213.jpg
Film Type: 35mm Date Taken: 04/17/93
Title: STS-56 remote manipulator system (RMS) backdropped against Aurora Borealis
Description:
STS-56 remote manipulator system (RMS) arm is backdropped against the
"northern lights" (Aurora Borealis) in this view exposed from the crew
cabin of Discovery, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 103. The arm was used in
operations with the Shuttle Pointed Autonomous Research Tool for Astronomy
201 (SPARTAN-201). Space Shuttle astronauts have the opportunity to
observe auroral activity only on 57-degree inclination missions and only
in the "night" hemisphere. Astronaut hand-held photography is the only
method which is capable of documenting the detailed structure of the
auroral oval.
Subject terms:
AURORAS
DISCOVERY (ORBITER)
EARTH OBSERVATIONS (FROM SPACE)
NIGHT
REMOTE MANIPULATOR SYSTEM
STS-56
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