Request: juv sci-fi about legendary killer satellite, newby astronaut encounters

[Supermodified]

There was a juvenile sci-fi novel I read as a boy that really made an impression, and I've been trying to remember the title for years. It takes place in near future earth, humans have a space station and some ongoing activity in orbit. There is a legend of a mysterious "killer satellite" that does just that to astronauts or ships it encounters, but it is officially denied. A young astronaut on his first duty tour fixing satellites encounters it. It turns out to be alien in origin. Any leads appreciated.

 

[Danny McG]

When you say 'read as a boy' would that be in 60's, 70's, 80's etc?

Did it seem a newish book at the time?

UK or USA astronaut?

Any little clues help

Thanks
Danny

 

[Pyan]

Sounds a bit like Sabotage in Space (Tom Corbett, Space Cadet ) by Carey Rockwell, but it was a looong time ago...