Teleoperator Retrieval System

It was developed to potentially re-boost the Skylab space station to a higher orbit.

[3] A remotely controlled booster rocket was to be carried up in the Space Shuttle's third mission.

Astronaut Jack R. Lousma 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.

It had a 24 nozzle 6-axis control thruster system to support Space rendezvous, docking, and orienting the spacecraft.

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.."[2] The TRS project was overseen by the NASA Marshall Spaceflight Center.

[5] Lousma and Haise's mission was canceled when NASA realized that STS-1 would not be early enough before the station's reentry.

Diagram of the Teleoperator Retrieval System planned to be deployed on the Space Shuttle mission to Skylab.
Illustration of TRS docked to Skylab with a Shuttle orbiter nearby
The NASA Space Shuttle makes it to the launchpad in 1980, too late for a Skylab boost
The aft flight deck of the Shuttle Orbiter Vehicle