Earth observations taken from the shuttle Challenger during STS-41C

41C-31-1002 (6-13 April 1984) --- Though previous photographs of this area have been taken prior to 41-C, that mission?s photography represents the best ever of ground water irrigation in Near East deserts. The system here is located in northeast Saudi Arabia, in the vicinity of Al Hufuf. Designed for use in the American west, the center pivot irrigation method pumps water from the ground and broadcasts it in a half-mile diameter circle from a mobile sprinkler system. This frame was one of the visuals used by the 41-C astronauts at their post-flight press conference.