Hubble Servicing Mission 4

[Wilms]

Servicing Mission 4-- the Fifth and Final Visit to Hubble

STATUS REPORT
Date Released: Friday, May 1, 2009
Source: ESA Science & Technology

On 11 May, Space Shuttle Atlantis will launch with a crew of seven to visit the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and carry out the fifth and final servicing mission. The replacement and repair of several instruments will see Hubble equipped to continue its programme of discovery well into the next decade.

~snip~

Astronauts from NASA and ESA visited Hubble in 1993, 1997, 1999 and 2002, carrying out a series of repairs and upgrades on each occasion. During the upcoming Servicing Mission 4 (SM4) astronauts will carry out five spacewalks to complete one last set of improvements. This will mean that every major component on the spacecraft, apart from the mirrors, will have undergone at least one upgrade since launch.

The primary objective of the mission is to deliver two new instruments. The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) will sit in the slot currently occupied by the now redundant Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR) package, and the enhanced Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) will replace the current Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2). Both instruments use advanced technology to dramatically improve Hubble's potential for discovery and enable observations of the faint light from the youngest stars and galaxies in the Universe.

~snip~

Replacing instruments is complicated enough, but there is an additional twist: two others need fixing -- the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS). This attempt to conduct in-orbit repairs is unprecedented To meet this challenge, engineers have developed new tools and procedures specifically for this mission.

Hubble itself also requires some care and attention. The batteries, for example, need updating, as Hubble is still flying with the originals and, after over 19 years of continuous use, they are starting to degrade. Other fixes to the satellite, such as replacing the fine guidance sensor and gyroscope units, will ensure that Hubble remains operational for many years to come.

~snip~

http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=31161

[cpompilo]

1. I love the Hubble Space Telescope

It's images have inspired awe and appreciation of the cosmos that surrounds us. I am thrilled that Hubble will continue to provide us with astounding images of space. My gratitude to the astronauts who will make the repairs. Amazing!

I think Hubble is one of mankinds great achievements.

[annabanana]

2. I love the hubble and will miss it when it goes.

The pictures of the huge star-making cloud columns rearranged my understanding of the cosmos forever.

[SurfingScientist]

4. The successor is in the making...

... and if all goes according to plan, Hubble will work long enough to leave no or only a short time gap before its successor enters duty

Google for "James Webb Space Telescope". I saw a scale model - it is the size of tennis court!!!

For sentimental reasons, I will miss Hubble too. It's like a good friend in the sky. I wish we could bring it down here and expose it at the Smithsonian Air & Space so we could caress and hug and cuddle it :hug:

[SurfingScientist]

3. I just booked my flights to see the launch!!!

Can't wait!!!

Have been using Hubble for my research quite a bit and am working on some data now. If interested, can post some unreleased Hubble photos of distant galaxies the way they come from the telescope...

[IndianaGreen]

5. It is a risky and delicate mission--no space station to seek shelter if shuttle is damaged

My thoughts and prayers are with our brave astronauts.