5 replies to this topic

[ngc4910]

Good morning everyone,

 

I compiled some information about the C5 that flew on the space shuttle in 1992. I'll briefly summarize the findings here.

Note: I will include some images/scans in this thread taken from publicly-available NASA material, with links to the original files, fully compliant with the NASA Images and Media Usage Guidelines for non-commercial informational purposes (see https://www.nasa.gov...ages-and-media/ ).

 

 

The C5 that flew on the Space Shuttle is prominently featured in this image with Astronaut Marsha S. Irvins:

 

( see https://www.celestro...oric-milestones )

 

This seems to be a C5 "Telephoto" version, black tube, golden label, as produced in the 1980s.

 

The image was taken on board STS-46, a Space Shuttle Atlantis mission that launched on July 31, 1992 for a total time in space of (close to) 8 days (see https://www.nasa.gov...il/amf-9261132/ )

 

One of the experiments to be performed by STS-46 was the Tethered Satellite System "TSS-1", a satellite "on a rope" of 12.5 miles length. Here the pre-deployment configuration as outlined in the technical paper on TSS-1:

(see https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19930017973 )

 

And here an image taken from aboard Atlantis:

(see https://www.nasa.gov...il/amf-9410863/ )

 

The Celestron C5 was to be used to image the tether when fully deployed:

(see https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19940023490 , the 1992 research and development report detailing how the C5 was supposed to be mounted on board )

 

 

Below an image showing the "alt-az"-style bracket that was used to mount the C5:

(same source as above)

 

The only image of the C5 which I could find in its mounting bracket:

(same source as above)

 

TSS-1 failed to be deployed at the desired distance, and the C5 was not used for its intended purpose:

(see again https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19940023490, as well as the mission report at https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19930016802 )

 

 

I wonder what happened to that Celestron C5 lens! Perhaps it is again with Celestron -- after all, Marsha Irvin's picture shown above is signed "To Celestron: With many thanks for the loans" (see https://www.celestro...living-in-space ).

If you have further details on this, or better-resolution images, please reach out, I'd be curious to learn more about this -- mainly as I am the happy owner of a C5 telephoto of equal vintage .

 

Clear skies!

ngc

Edited by ngc4910, 26 April 2025 - 11:46 AM.

[deSitter]

Good morning everyone,

 

I compiled some information about the C5 that flew on the space shuttle in 1992. I'll briefly summarize the findings here.

Note: I will include some images/scans in this thread taken from publicly-available NASA material, with links to the original files, fully compliant with the NASA Images and Media Usage Guidelines for non-commercial informational purposes (see https://www.nasa.gov...ages-and-media/ ).

 

 

The C5 that flew on the Space Shuttle is prominently featured in this image with Astronaut Marsha S. Irvins:

 

nasa_1.jpg

( see https://www.celestro...oric-milestones )

 

This seems to be a C5 "Telephoto" version, black tube, golden label, as produced in the 1980s.

 

The image was taken on board STS-46, a Space Shuttle Atlantis mission that launched on July 31, 1992 for a total time in space of (close to) 8 days (see https://www.nasa.gov...il/amf-9261132/ )

 

One of the experiments to be performed by STS-46 was the Tethered Satellite System "TSS-1", a satellite "on a rope" of 12.5 miles length. Here the pre-deployment configuration as outlined in the technical paper on TSS-1:

nasa_4.jpg

(see https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19930017973 )

 

And here an image taken from aboard Atlantis:

nasa_3.jpg

(see https://www.nasa.gov...il/amf-9410863/ )

 

The Celestron C5 was to be used to image the tether when fully deployed:

nasa_5.jpg

(see https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19940023490 , the 1992 research and development report detailing how the C5 was supposed to be mounted on board )

 

 

Below an image showing the "alt-az"-style bracket that was used to mount the C5:

nasa_6.small.jpg

(same source as above)

 

The only image of the C5 which I could find in its mounting bracket:

nasa_7.small.jpg

(same source as above)

 

TSS-1 failed to be deployed at the desired distance, and the C5 was not used for its intended purpose:

nasa_8.jpg

(see again https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19940023490, as well as the mission report at https://ntrs.nasa.go...ons/19930016802 )

 

 

I wonder what happened to that Celestron C5 lens! Perhaps it is again with Celestron -- after all, Marsha Irvin's picture shown above is signed "To Celestron: With many thanks for the loans" (see https://www.celestro...living-in-space ).

If you have further details on this, or better-resolution images, please reach out, I'd be curious to learn more about this -- mainly as I am the happy owner of a C5 telephoto of equal vintage .

 

Clear skies!

ngc

 

That's in some pile in the back of some back room of a back building.

 

-drl

[photoracer18]

There were 2 versions of the C5 telephoto, an F10 version called the C5-1250 and an F6 version called the C5-750. Not easy to tell which from the photo but I am guessing the F10 version from what I can see.

[Terra Nova]

Didn’t Celestron have an ad for the C5 back in the early 90s that mentioned that one had been deployed on the Space Shuttle? It was back when it was the C5+, the black and white one-armed bandit. I always wanted one of those. Never got one.

[ngc4910]

There were 2 versions of the C5 telephoto, an F10 version called the C5-1250 and an F6 version called the C5-750. Not easy to tell which from the photo but I am guessing the F10 version from what I can see.

 

Yes I also think the length-vs-diameter ratio of the scope pictured looks more like the f/10, not the f/6 variant

 

 

Didn’t Celestron have an ad for the C5 back in the early 90s that mentioned that one had been deployed on the Space Shuttle? It was back when it was the C5+, the black and white one-armed bandit. I always wanted one of those. Never got one.

 

I do not know this ad! Would love to see a picture though if anyone has an old catalogue at hand. 
 

[VA3DSO]

This is awesome! Oddly, my big takeaway here is that a Telrad also went into space aboard the Space Shuttle! Now I can tell my kids that I have space-rated gear! LOL!

 

 

Clear skies!

Rick