The satellite was carried in the rear of the shuttle 's payload bay .
The satellite was was boosted into a geosynchronous transfer orbit by a Payload Assist Module ( PAM - D ) , a small solid rocket upper stage , after its release from the orbiter .
The satellite was carried in the rear of the shuttle 's payload bay , and was boosted into a geosynchronous transfer orbit by a Payload Assist Module ( PAM - D ) , a small solid rocket upper stage , after its release from the orbiter .