Capture of the INTELSAT VI-F3 communications satellite by three crew members of Space Shuttle Endeavour on Mission STS-49. The astronauts are (left to right): Richard J. Hieb, Thomas D. Akers and Pierre J. Thuot. INTELSAT VI-F3 was launched on 14 March 1990 by a Titan rocket, but due to a booster malfunction it was not raised to its geosynchronous orbit. The main goal of the mission was to capture the satellite and bring it into the cargo bay where a new perigee kick motor was to be fitted. For the first time in the Shuttle's history three crew members participated in a joint Extravehicular Activity (EVA). Mission STS-49 (7- 16 May 1992) was Endeavour's maiden flight.