STS103_v_c_o_KPP (KSC-99P-1551, STS103-713-051)
“STS-103 EVA VIEW --- Astronauts C. Michael Foale (left) and Claude Nicollier participate in the second of three STS-103 spacewalks to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). On this task they are replacing one of the telescope’s Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS). Nicollier, a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, is standing on the end of the remote manipulator system (RMS).”
Additionally, per the “HUBBLESITE” website:
“December 19-27, 1999
SPACE SHUTTLE: Discovery
Crew: Commander Curtis L. Brown, Pilot Scott J. Kelly, Payload Commander Steven L. Smith, Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, John M. Grunsfield, Claude Nicollier and Jean-Francois Clervoy
NASA decided to split the Servicing Mission 3 (SM3) into two parts, SM3A and SM3B, after the third of Hubble’s six gyroscopes failed. (At that time, Hubble needed three gyroscopes to observe a celestial target.) The second part of the mission, SM3B, took place March 1–12, 2002.
On November 13, 1999, the Hubble Space Telescope was placed into safe mode after the failure of a fourth gyroscope. In safe mode Hubble could not observe targets, but its safety was preserved. This protective mode allows ground control of the telescope, but with only two gyros working, Hubble cannot be aimed with the precision necessary for scientific observations of the sky. Controllers closed the aperture door to protect the optics and aligned the spacecraft to ensure that Hubble’s solar panels would receive adequate power from the Sun.
In the first of the two-part mission, the most pressing task was the replacement of the gyroscopes. The crew, two of whom were Hubble repair veterans, replaced all six gyroscopes — as well as one of Hubble’s three Fine Guidance Sensors, which allow fine pointing and keep Hubble stable during observations, and a transmitter.
The astronauts also installed an advanced central computer, a digital data recorder, an electronics enhancement kit, battery improvement kits, and new outer layers of thermal protection. Hubble was as good as new.
Mission Highlights:
- Replacement of all three Rate Sensing Units (RSUs), each of which contains two gyroscopes
- Installation of new computer, 20 times faster with six times more memory than its predecessor
- Replacement of original reel-to-reel data recorder with digital Solid-State Recorder (SSR) which is faster, more reliable and can store 10 times as much data
- Replacement of no. 2 of 3 Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS) with refurbished unit
- Replacement of failed no. 2 of 2 S-Band Single Access Transmitter (SSAT) used to relay data to the ground
Installation six Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kits (VIKs) on wiring between Solar Arrays and each battery to control charging of Hubble's batteries
- Installation of Shell/Shield Replacement Fabric (SSRF) over the original Multi-Layer Insulation on Hubble’s forward shell and light shield to add thermal protection
- Installation of Handrail Covers around the handrails above the Fine Guidance Sensor bay to prevent possible contamination to the Aft Shroud area from flaking handrail paint
- Fit New Outer Blanket Layers (NOBLs) on equipment Bay 1”
At:
hubblesite.org/mission-and-telescope/servicing-missions
STS103_v_c_o_KPP (KSC-99P-1551, STS103-713-051)
“STS-103 EVA VIEW --- Astronauts C. Michael Foale (left) and Claude Nicollier participate in the second of three STS-103 spacewalks to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). On this task they are replacing one of the telescope’s Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS). Nicollier, a European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut, is standing on the end of the remote manipulator system (RMS).”
Additionally, per the “HUBBLESITE” website:
“December 19-27, 1999
SPACE SHUTTLE: Discovery
Crew: Commander Curtis L. Brown, Pilot Scott J. Kelly, Payload Commander Steven L. Smith, Mission Specialists C. Michael Foale, John M. Grunsfield, Claude Nicollier and Jean-Francois Clervoy
NASA decided to split the Servicing Mission 3 (SM3) into two parts, SM3A and SM3B, after the third of Hubble’s six gyroscopes failed. (At that time, Hubble needed three gyroscopes to observe a celestial target.) The second part of the mission, SM3B, took place March 1–12, 2002.
On November 13, 1999, the Hubble Space Telescope was placed into safe mode after the failure of a fourth gyroscope. In safe mode Hubble could not observe targets, but its safety was preserved. This protective mode allows ground control of the telescope, but with only two gyros working, Hubble cannot be aimed with the precision necessary for scientific observations of the sky. Controllers closed the aperture door to protect the optics and aligned the spacecraft to ensure that Hubble’s solar panels would receive adequate power from the Sun.
In the first of the two-part mission, the most pressing task was the replacement of the gyroscopes. The crew, two of whom were Hubble repair veterans, replaced all six gyroscopes — as well as one of Hubble’s three Fine Guidance Sensors, which allow fine pointing and keep Hubble stable during observations, and a transmitter.
The astronauts also installed an advanced central computer, a digital data recorder, an electronics enhancement kit, battery improvement kits, and new outer layers of thermal protection. Hubble was as good as new.
Mission Highlights:
- Replacement of all three Rate Sensing Units (RSUs), each of which contains two gyroscopes
- Installation of new computer, 20 times faster with six times more memory than its predecessor
- Replacement of original reel-to-reel data recorder with digital Solid-State Recorder (SSR) which is faster, more reliable and can store 10 times as much data
- Replacement of no. 2 of 3 Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS) with refurbished unit
- Replacement of failed no. 2 of 2 S-Band Single Access Transmitter (SSAT) used to relay data to the ground
Installation six Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kits (VIKs) on wiring between Solar Arrays and each battery to control charging of Hubble's batteries
- Installation of Shell/Shield Replacement Fabric (SSRF) over the original Multi-Layer Insulation on Hubble’s forward shell and light shield to add thermal protection
- Installation of Handrail Covers around the handrails above the Fine Guidance Sensor bay to prevent possible contamination to the Aft Shroud area from flaking handrail paint
- Fit New Outer Blanket Layers (NOBLs) on equipment Bay 1”
At:
hubblesite.org/mission-and-telescope/servicing-missions