219-NASA – Update: Hubble SM4 Flight

The Hubble Space Telescope was reborn with Servicing Mission 4 (SM4), the fifth and final servicing of the orbiting observatory. During SM4, astronauts installed two new scientific instruments – the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). Two failed instruments, the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), were brought back to life by the first ever on-orbit repairs. These efforts brought Hubble to the apex of its scientific capabilities.

To prolong Hubble’s life, astronauts installed new batteries, new gyroscopes, a new science computer, a refurbished fine guidance sensor, and new insulation on three electronics bays. Additionally, astronauts attached a device to the base of the telescope that will facilitate de-orbiting when the telescope is eventually decommissioned.

The Space Operations Control Center, also known as the STOCC, is responsible 24/7, 365 days a year for monitoring all Hubble systems and facilitating all of the telescope’s science observations. Two teams of flight controllers designated as the Orbit Team and the Planning Team will work closely with the mission control flight team in Houston in coordinating all of the activities planned as part of the final shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble Telescope.

With the first of the five planned spacewalks completed, two of the three top mission priorities have already been met.

Atlantis and the STS-125 crew lifted off on a mission on May 11, to upgrade the world’s most famous telescope.

Goddard plays a major role in the Hubble servicing mission. Astronauts trained with sophisticated Hubble models in Goddard facilities, and all of the telescope’s components went through extensive testing at the center.

Goddard’s Space Telescope Operations Control Center staff upload the commands to Hubble that tell it where to point and when, what sensing instruments to use, and when to send data back to Earth. They also troubleshoot any problems that arise. During the servicing mission, the control center plays a vital role in ensuring all the new Hubble components will operate properly after the astronauts install them.