The New York Times Friday, January 12, 1990, p. A22 SHUTTLE MOVES IN ON AILING SATELLITE Spacecraft on Course for the Rendezvous, With Capture Set for Midmorning Side panel: Six Years In Space Fifty-seven experiments on 36 trays are housed in the Long Duration Exposure Facility, which was launched in April 1984. Science experiments Interstellar gases have been captured and will be analyzed for clues to the formation of the Milky Way galaxy. Cosmic radiation has been measured in a search for clues to the evolution of heavier elements in the galaxy, and data have been gathered on the radiation's effect on living organisms like shrimp and plant seeds. Behavior of materials A multitude of materials used to build spacecraft have been tested for their reactions to radiation, extreme temperature variation and collisions with space matter. Optics The effects of prolonged space exposure on optical fibers, coatings, glass and transmission links have been studied. Growing crystals Experiments have been done on growing large, pure crystals in microgravity for use in electronics. Student experiments Kits of tomato seeds aboard the satellite will be distributed to students from the upper elementary to the university level for experiments and study. Main Article: By JOHN NOBLE WILFORD Special to The New York Times CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Jan. 11 -- Switching orbital lanes and climbing in altitude, the astronauts of the space shuttle Columbia maneuvered into position today for their planned retrieval of a faltering bus-size satellite Friday morning. Flight controllers said Columbia was on course for the final phase of the rendezvous to begin shortly after 7 A.M " leading to the planned capture of the satellite at 9:48 A.M. The astronauts plan to stow the 30-foot-long satellite in the shuttle's cargo bay and bring it back to Earth. At a news conference today, Al Pennington, the chief flight director at Mission Control in Houston, said: "The crew are in good spirits and working hard. They're ready and prepped for the rendezvous." The satellite, known as the Long Duration Exposure Facility, or LDEF, is steadily losing altitude and, if not recovered, would plunge out of orbit in March. It has been in orbit almost six years as a test of how well materials survive the space environment. Engineers want to get the LDEF back on Earth for a thorough analysis that should influence the design of future spacecraft. ---Orbital Engines Fired 3 Times--- Columbia's two orbital maneuvering engines were fired three times today in carefully calculated operations to bring the shuttle into an orbit matching LDEF's, but at an altitude three miles below the satellite. At this slightly lower altitude of 207 miles, the shuttle was moving somewhat faster than the satellite, closing in so that the distance between the two should be about 45 miles at the start of the final rendezvous maneuvers. When the crew began the day of maneuvers, Columbia was in an orbit ranging in altitude from 210 miles to 194 miles, and was trailing LDEF by almost 600 miles, but closing in at a rate of about 35 miles each revolution of Earth. If the rendezvous is successful, it will be the fifth time shuttle astronauts have visited an orbiting vehicle and the third time one has been retrieved. The capability to perform such orbital repairs and retrievals was one of the main selling points made by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration in beginning the development of the reusable shuttles in the 1970's. In April 1984, the shuttle that de-. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- An analysis of a falling satellite could influence future space flight. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- livered LDEF to orbit also searched out and visited the Solar Maximum Mission satellite, or Solar Max, to replace malfunctioning electronics units. The only retrievals were made in November of that year, when shuttle astronauts picked up two disabled communication satellites and brought them back to Earth. They were later relaunched. Then, in August 1985, shuttle astronauts picked up a communication satellite, made some repairs on the spot and redeployed it. Capt. Frederick H. Hauck of the Navy, who commanded the only previous retrieval mission, recalled the experience while talking to reporters the day of Columbia's launching. "You're on the dark side of Earth as you approach the satellite using rendezvous radar to track it , " Captain Hauck said. "It's timed specifically so as you get in close, it's right at orbital sunrise. It's really fantastic to look out and see this bright satellite just a few feet away." ---Water Leak Cleaned Up--- The astronauts chasing LDEF are Capt. Daniel C. Brandenstein and Lieut. Comdr. James D. Wetherbee, both of the Navy; Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, who is to operate the robot arm; and Marsha S. Ivins and G. David Low, who will assist in the retrieval. Early this morning the crew had to contend with the more mundane task of mopping up a water leak on the Columbia. Dehumidifying equipment had become partly clogged. Its function is to condense moisture out of cabin air and channel the water to a waste tank. The astronauts spent nearly three hours using a vacuum cleaner to remove water droplets floating in the weightless environment of the cabin. They collected more than a gallon of water in the cleanup operation. Mr. Pennington, the flight director, said that the dehumidifying system would carefully be monitored but that the problem was not expected to shorten or otherwise disrupt plans for the 10-day mission. Columbia is scheduled to land at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., on Jan. 19.