Performing a risky maneuver that required precision flying, not only did space shuttle astronauts retrieve an orbiting satellite, it was done simultaneously while avoiding being rear-ended by a passing ultraviolet telescope.
A. not only did space shuttle astronauts retrieve an orbiting satellite, it was done simultaneously while avoiding
B. not only was an orbiting satellite retrieved by space shuttle astronauts, but they also simultaneously avoided
C. an orbiting satellite was retrieved by space shuttle astronauts who also avoided simultaneously
D. space shuttle astronauts retrieved an orbiting satellite, simultaneously while avoiding
E. space shuttle astronauts retrieved an orbiting satellite and simultaneously avoided
The sentence starts with a participial modifier- “Performing a risky maneuver that required precision flying,”.
A participial modifier should be followed by the subject (what it modifies) and not anything else.
Who performed a risky maneuver that required precision flying? The astronauts, of course.
Eliminate A,B, and C.
D. space shuttle astronauts retrieved an orbiting satellite, simultaneously while avoiding
Performing a risky maneuver that required precision flying, space shuttle astronauts retrieved an orbiting satellite, simultaneously while avoiding being rear-ended by a passing ultraviolet telescope.
“simultaneously" and “while” are redundant.
while avoiding being rear-ended… sentence fragment.
E. space shuttle astronauts retrieved an orbiting satellite and simultaneously avoided
By using avoided (verb), we have a complete sentence.