Refining the 

Hubble Space Telescope's 

View of the Universe

SPACE SHUTTLE PRESSKIT

WWW.SHUTTLEPRESSKIT.COM

Updated November 24, 1999
STS-103 Table of Contents

Mission Overview ......................................................................................................... 1

Mission Profile .............................................................................................................. 8

Crew.............................................................................................................................. 10

Flight Day Summary Timeline ...................................................................................................14

Rendezvous

Rendezvous, Retrieval and Deploy ......................................................................................................18

EVA

Hubble Space Telescope Extravehicular Activity ..................................................................................21

EVA Timeline ........................................................................................................................................24

Payloads

Fine Guidance Sensor .........................................................................................................................27

Gyroscopes .........................................................................................................................................28

New Advanced Computer .....................................................................................................................30

New Thermal Blanket Layers ...............................................................................................................31

Payload Overview ...............................................................................................................................33

S-Band Single Access Transmitter .......................................................................................................36

Solid State Recorder ...........................................................................................................................38

Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kits ................................................................................................40

Experiments (Not available)

DTO/DSO/RME

DTO 700-14 Single-String Global Positioning System, with PGSC and GPS ........................................41

DTO 700-15 Space Integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation System (SIGI) ...............43

Media Assistance ....................................................................................................... 44

Contacts ..................................................................................................................... 46
STS-103

Mission Overview 

DISCOVERY SET TO VISIT HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE 

Spacewalks by four astronauts to highlight third servicing mission

Space Shuttle Discovery is poised to launch December 9 on the third visit to

the Hubble Space Telescope that will include four spacewalks designed to

install new equipment and replace old. The liftoff is set to occur at the

beginning of a 42-minute launch window opening at 1:10 a.m. Eastern

Standard Time. The launch time will be refined one final time closer to the

launch when the flight dynamics team obtains updated trajectory data for

Discovery's rendezvous with Hubble.

1
Seven astronauts are ready to pay this visit to Hubble a little sooner than

originally planned so that its gyroscope complement can be restored to full

capacity. In addition, other tasks will be completed that originally had been

scheduled for next year. The mission will feature four spacewalks, or

extravehicular activities (EVA's), to ensure the health of the first of NASA's

Great Observatories launched nearly a decade ago. Each of the spacewalks

is planned to last about six hours with specific tasks laid out to maximize the

efficiency of the work to be done.

The primary objective is to replace all six gyroscopes that make up the three

Rate Sensor Units. In addition, astronauts will install a new computer that will

dramatically increase the computing power, speed, and storage capability of

HST. They will change out one of the Fine Guidance Sensors and replace a

tape recorder with a new Solid State Recorder. The EVA crew also will install

a new S-band single access transmitter and voltage/temperature

improvement kit for the telescope's nickel-hydrogen batteries. Finally the crew

will begin repair of the insulation on the telescope's outer surface that has

deteriorated in the years since it was launched.

2
The STS-103 mission will be commanded by veteran astronaut Curt Brown

(Col., USAF), who will be making a record-tying sixth voyage to space and

third as commander. Making his first flight into space is pilot Scott Kelly (Lt.

Cmdr.,USN). 

Five mission specialists are assigned to the flight. European Space Agency

(ESA) Astronaut Jean-Francois Clervoy is Mission Specialist 2 serving as the

flight engineer and primary robot arm operator. He will be making his third

flight on the shuttle. The four remaining crewmembers will form two teams to

perform the four spacewalks. Mission Specialist 1 and Payload Commander

is Steven Smith. He's flying on the shuttle for the third time and will team with

John Grunsfeld on the first and third EVAs. Grunsfeld, Mission Specialist 3,

also will be making his third flight into space. Mission Specialist 4, Michael

Foale, and Mission Specialist 5, Claude Nicollier of the European Space

Agency, will team on the second and fourth spacewalks. Foale will be going

to space for the fifth time and Nicollier for the fourth.

Though the four spacewalking astronauts began training for this mission more

than a year ago, the remaining three crewmembers were not named until this

past March when the Hubble project called for this earlier-than-scheduled visit

to replace the ailing gyroscopes. The training consisted of underwater activity

in the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory near the Johnson Space Center; and

hands-on training in the Goddard Space Flight Center's 12,500 square-foot

cleanroom.

As was the case with the previous servicing missions, the crew practiced

every task it will have to perform during the four scheduled spacewalks. More

than 150 special tools and crew aids have been developed for the servicing

missions.

STS-103 will be the 27th flight of Discovery and the 96th mission in the

history of the Space Shuttle Program.

HST Servicing Mission 3A -- COST TO TAXPAYERS

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is the first observatory designed for routine

maintenance, upgrade, and refurbishment on orbit. The program is planned

as a 20-year mission with periodic servicing by Shuttle astronauts. Hubble's

modular design allows for more than 90 spacecraft components and all of its

scientific instruments to be replaced on orbit. Servicing maintains the

spacecraft, ensures operation at maximum scientific efficiency and allows for

incorporation of new technology. 

Hubble was launched on April 24, 1990 with a full complement of six scientific

instruments. At that time, an inventory of spare HST hardware was available

to support future servicing missions. Since launch, HST budgets have been

sized to develop new instruments, to maintain the spare hardware, to sustain

hardware expertise, to plan and develop servicing activities, and to test and

3
Due to gyroscope failures, a servicing mission was needed as soon as

replacement hardware could be ready. Servicing Mission 3 (scheduled for

June 2000) was divided into two flights --- servicing mission 3A (SM3A), and

servicing mission 3B (SM3B), scheduled for no earlier than the Spring of

2001. Much of the hardware planned for servicing mission 3 will not be ready

in time for the first flight, and will therefore be installed on SM3B. 

The cost to carry out this mission is $136 million. This includes $19 million of

HST costs for the additional servicing mission, $7 million of HST costs to

switch from Columbia to Discovery, and $110 million for the Shuttle to carry

out the mission and replace Space Shuttle flight hardware previously

assigned to another mission. NASA has also spent approximately $69 million

on Servicing Mission 3A, in addition to the $136 million, reflecting the costs of

building and testing the planned replacement hardware, ground operations

and other related activities.

All six gyroscopes will be replaced during the STS-103 (SM3A) mission. The

fourth of the sixth existing gyroscopes failed on Nov. 13, forcing Hubble to

suspend scientific operations until the servicing mission is completed. 

In addition, the crew will replace a guidance sensor (a unit brought back to

the ground after the last mission and refurbished) and the spacecraft's

computer. The new computer will reduce the burden of flight software

maintenance and significantly lower operating costs. A voltage/temperature

kit will be installed to protect spacecraft batteries from overcharging and

overheating in certain, infrequent spacecraft modes of operation. A new radio

frequency transmitter will replace a failed spare one currently aboard the

spacecraft, and a spare solid state recorder will be installed to allow more

efficient handling of high-volume data. 

4
Servicing Mission Costs - HST

Planned Servicing Mission Hardware & Software

Gyroscope $8 Million

Fine Guidance Sensor $13 Million

Advanced Computer $7 Million

Other Flight Hardware $11 Million

Simulators/Testing $6 Million

Ops/Software Development $24 Million

Sub-total $69 Million

Costs for Flight Changes

HST Cost for Additional Servicing Mission $19 Million

HST Cost for Switching from Columbia to Discovery $7 Million

Sub-total $26 Million

HST Total $95 Million

Servicing Mission Costs - Shuttle

Shuttle Flight Costs $110 Million

Total STS-103 Mission Costs

Shuttle $110 Million

HST $95 Million

Total $205 Million

Plans for the Future

The Hubble Space Telescope's purpose is to spend 20 years probing the

farthest and faintest reaches of the cosmos. Routine servicing missions will

continue to refine and enhance the telescope's capabilties. Two additional

servicing missions and a close-out mission are planned. 

Three instruments are currently in active scientific use on Hubble - the Wide

Field and Planetary Camera 2, the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph,

and Fine Guidance Sensor 1R, which has been designated as the prime Fine

Guidance Sensor for astrometric science. Other instrument bays are

occupied by the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer

(NICMOS), which is now dormant due to the depletion of its solid nitrogen

cryogen, the Faint Object Camera, which has been decommissioned, and the

corrective optical device called COSTAR, which is no longer needed.

Servicing Mission 3B -- Spring 2001 

The next servicing mission will focus on installing the Advanced Camera for

5
Surveys and more efficient rigid solar arrays. Astronauts also will install the

aft shroud cooling system. In addition, an advanced cooling system will be

installed on NICMOS, which became dormant after its solid nitrogen coolant

was exhausted in January 1999. The application of new external thermal

Advanced Camera for Surveys

During this mission, scheduled for Spring 2001, astronauts will install a new

science instrument, the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). The Advanced

Camera for Surveys will physically replace the Faint Object Camera. This

new instrument is designed for survey mode imagery and discovery. It is

estimated that the survey capability of the Telescope will be increased

tenfold. A major objective for the ACS is mapping the distribution of dark

matter throughout the universe. Several other maintenance activities are

planned over four EVA days. A few of the activities are discussed below. 

Solar Array III

Two large flexible solar array wings provide power to Hubble. During

Servicing Mission 1, the original European Space Agency arrays were

replaced with a new upgraded set of solar arrays. These arrays consist of

silicon cells installed on a thin layer of Kapton blanket. When these arrays are

replaced they will have powered the Telescope for nearly 7 years. 

The newest arrays are rigid arrays, which do not roll up and therefore are

more robust. They are also smaller and more efficient and will slightly reduce

the effects of atmospheric drag on the spacecraft. The arrays to be installed

on that servicing mission have several enhancements and incorporats new

technology: The cells are made from gallium arsenide which is more efficient

than the original silicon cells. The frames are made of lightweight Lithium

Aluminum alloy tubes, in an "H"-shaped configuration. Each wing can be

folded for transport, and then easily locked into place when fully deployed.

NICMOS Cooling System

The NICMOS Cooling System, an experimental mechanical cooling system,

will be connected to NICMOS to return it to normal operation. 

Aft Shroud Cooling System

This new system is designed to carry heat away from scientific instruments in

the Aft Shroud area of the Telescope assembly and to allow the instruments

to operate better at lower temperatures. The cooling system allows multiple

instruments to operate simultaneously, helping the science team maintain the

program's high productivity

Possible Reboost

Although the atmosphere is quite thin at satellite altitudes, it is not a perfect

vacuum. Over time, all low Earth orbiting satellites feel the effects of

atmospheric drag and lose altitude. If the altitude is not restored, the

6
Telescope eventually will reenter Earth's atmosphere. Hubble has no

on-board propulsion, so the only way to restore lost altitude is by the creative

use of shuttle jets. If necessary, Hubble will be reboosted to a higher altitude.

This was done on both Servicing Missions 1 and 2. 

Servicing Mission 4 -- 2003

Plans for the fourth servicing mission are very preliminary at this time, but two

Science Instruments are in development. The corrective optics package

installed on the first servicing mission will be removed during this mission to

make room for the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph. Wide Field Camera 3 will

replace the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2. Also a refurbished Fine

Guidance Sensor will be in-stalled leaving Hubble in optimum condition.

Cosmic Origins Spectrograph

The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) is a medium resolution

spectrograph specifically designed to observe into the near and mid

ultraviolet. COS coupled to Hubble's optics will be the most sensitive

spectrograph ever flown in space. The ultraviolet region is particularly

interesting for observing hot objects such as new hot stars and quasars. It is

also a good region for viewing the composition and character of interstellar

and intergalactic gas. COS will measure the chemical composition of the gas

between the galaxies at great distances, as it was when the universe was

very young.

Wide Field Camera Three

Wide Field Camera Three (WFC3) will be the last imaging camera mounted

on HST. WFC3 will replace the current workhorse of Hubble, Wide Field and

Planetary Camera 2. WFC3 will be a "panchromatic" camera, extending

Hubble's imaging capability over an enormous range of wavelengths from the

ultraviolet to the near-infrared. It will provide important backup to the ACS in

visible light and will supersede the near-infrared capability of the aging

NICMOS. This upgrade will allow Hubble to maintain good imaging

capa-bilities throughout the remainder of its mission.

Fine Guidance Sensor

The Fine Guidance Sensors are systematically refurbished and upgraded. In

"round-robin" fashion, one FGS per servicing mission is being replaced. The

returned FGS is disassembled and refurbished, and then taken back to

Hubble on the next servicing mission to replace the next FGS. By the

conclusion of SM4 all three FGS's will have been brought up to optimum

condition in this manner.

Closeout Mission -- 2010 

NASA will determine the best approach to secure the Telescope, upon the

completion of Hubble's 20-year mission. Currently there are several options

being considered, ranging from staying in orbit indefinitely through a large

reboost, to a return to ground.

7
STS-103

Discovery OV103

Launch: Thursday, December 09, 1999 

 1:10 AM (eastern time)

 

Crew

Commander: Curtis L. Brown

Pilot: Scott J Kelly

Mission Specialist 1: Steven L. Smith

Mission Specialist 2: Jean-Francois Clervoy

Mission Specialist 3: John M. Grunsfeld

Mission Specialist 4: Michael Foale

Mission Specialist 5: Claude Nicollier

Launch

Orbiter: Discovery OV103

Launch Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Launch Window: 42 minutes

Altitude: 315 NM insertion

Inclination: 28.45 degrees

Duration: 9 Days 22 Hrs. 7 Min.

Vehicle Data

Shuttle Liftoff Weight: 4,506,759 lbs.

Orbiter/Payload Liftoff Weight: 248,000 lbs.

Orbiter/Payload Landing

Weight:

211,129 lbs.

Software Version:

Space Shuttle Main Engines

SSME 1: 2053 SSME 2: 2043 SSME 3: 2049

8
External Tank: ET-101 (5 Super Light Weight Tank)

SRB Set: OI-26B

Auxiliary Power Units:

APU-1: 310 APU-2: 204 APU-3: 404

Fuel Cells:

FC-1: 110 FC-2: 119 FC-3: 122

Landing

Landing Date: 12/18/99

Landing Time: 10:41 PM (eastern time)

Primary Landing Site: Kennedy Space Center, Florida

landing time approximate

9
STS-103

Crew Profile Menu 

Commander: Curtis L. Brown

Brown will become the fifth man to fly in space six times, joining John

Young, Story Musgrave, Franklin Chang-Diaz and Jerry Ross in that

exclusive group. Brown is responsible for mission success and crew

safety as well as the ultimate authority for all mission decisions. He

will be the prime crew member for the rendezvous and retrieval of the

Hubble Space Telescope, and vehicle operation following the

Telescope's release back into orbit.

Brown flew as a Shuttle pilot on three missions, STS-47 in 1992, STS-66 in 1994 and

STS-77 in 1996. He has commanded two previous flights, STS-85 in 1997 and STS-95 in

1998, the mission in which John Glenn returned to space. 

Ascent Seating: Flight Deck - Port Forward

Entry Seating: Flight Deck - Port Forward

Pilot: Scott J Kelly

Kelly is responsible for many orbiter systems during launch and landing

and will backup Commander Curt Brown during the rendezvous and

retrieval of the Hubble Space Telescope. He will backup his crewmates

on all rendezvous tools and the preparation of the space suits for the

four space walks planned during the flight. 

This will be Kelly's first flight. 

Ascent Seating: Flight Deck - Starboard Forward

Entry Seating: Flight Deck - Starboard Forward

10
Mission Specialist 1: Steven L. Smith

As Payload Commander, Smith has primary responsibility for the

servicing and operation of the Hubble Space Telescope. 

He will be the lead space walker for the mission, using three

spacewalks' worth of experience acquired as one of four space walkers

who serviced Hubble during the last visit of astronauts to the Telescope

in 1997. 

Smith will be teamed with John Grunsfeld for EVAs 1 and 3. Smith will be designated EV 1

during his spacewalks. He will also serve as the "intravehicular" crew member during EVAs

2 and 4, responsible for the choreography of the astronauts' work in Discovery's payload

bay.

Smith has flown in space on two previous missions, STS-68 in 1994, and the second

Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, STS-82, in 1997.

Ascent Seating: Mid Deck - Port

Entry Seating: Mid Deck - Port

EV1

Mission Specialist 2: Jean-Francois Clervoy

Among his other duties, Clervoy is the prime crew member for the

operation of Discovery's robot arm during the third Hubble Space

Telescope servicing mission. 

As the Flight Engineer during Discovery's launch and landing, Clervoy

will be seated behind Commander Curt Brown and Pilot Scott Kelly on

the flight deck, monitoring key Shuttle systems. Clervoy will use the

50-foot long robot arm to retrieve Hubble, maneuver spacewalking

crewmembers around the cargo bay during the four EVAs to service Hubble and redeploy

the Telescope for the resumption of its science operations. Clervoy will also assist other

crew members with a variety of navigation tools during the rendezvous to grapple Hubble

out of its orbit on the third day of the mission.

Clervoy has flown in space twice before, on STS-66 in 1994 and on STS-84 in 1997.

Ascent Seating: Flight Deck - Center Aft

Entry Seating: Flight Deck - Center Aft

11
Mission Specialist 3: John M. Grunsfeld

Grunsfeld will be teamed with Steve Smith during the first and third

spacewalks of the mission, and will be designated EV 2. 

A member of the American Astronomical Society, Grunsfeld will have

prime responsibility for discussing the science of the Hubble Space

Telescope during the flight, and will be responsible for opening

Discovery's cargo bay doors shortly after the Shuttle reaches orbit. 

Grunsfeld will also backup Jean-Francois Clervoy in the operation of Discovery's robot arm

during the second and fourth spacewalks of the mission. He will assist other crew members

during the rendezvous operations to retrieve Hubble and will operate a number of on-board

computers.

Grunsfeld has flown in space twice, on STS-67 in 1995 and on STS-81 in 1997. 

Ascent Seating: Flight Deck - Starboard Aft

Entry Seating: Mid Deck - Port

EV2

Mission Specialist 4: Michael Foale

A veteran of four previous spaceflights on both the Shuttle and the

Russian Space Station Mir, Foale will be teamed with Claude Nicollier

during the second and fourth spacewalks of the mission and will be

designated EV 3. 

Foale has two spacewalks to his credit, one on the Shuttle and one on

Mir. 

Foale will backup Steve Smith in overall responsibility for Hubble servicing operations and

will assist others in the checkout of the space suits the astronauts will wear during their

spacewalks. Foale will also serve as a science expert during the mission and will act as

"intravehicular" crew member during the first and third spacewalks of the flights, responsible

for the choreography of the astronauts' work in Discovery's payload bay. 

He will be in charge of the closing of Discovery's cargo bay doors shortly before landing.

Foale has previously flown on STS-45 in 1992, STS-56 in 1993, STS-63 in 1995 and

STS-84 in 1997 (launched to Mir; returned to Earth on STS-86 in 1997).

Ascent Seating: Mid Deck - Port

Entry Seating: Flight Deck - Starboard Aft

EV3

12
Mission Specialist 5: Claude Nicollier

Nicollier will be teamed with Mike Foale for the second and fourth

spacewalks of the mission and will be designated EV 4. 

He previously visited the Hubble Space Telescope for its first servicing

in 1993 as the prime operator of the Shuttle's robot arm.

This time, Nicollier will serve as a backup to Jean-Francois Clervoy

during the rendezvous to reach the Telescope and as the operator of

the robot arm during the first and third spacewalks. He will also assist other crewmembers

in discussing the science of the Telescope during the flight. 

Nicollier has flown in space three times, on STS-46 in 1992, STS-61 in 1993 and STS-75 in

1996.

Ascent Seating: Mid Deck - Starboard

Entry Seating: Mid Deck - Starboard

EV4

Updated: 11/22/1999

13
STS-103

Flight Day Summary 

DATE TIME (EST) DAY MET EVENT

12/09/99 1:10:00 AM 0 000/00:00:00 Launch Time

12/09/99 2:00:00 AM 0 000/00:50:00 Post Insertion

12/09/99 3:40:00 AM 0 000/02:30:00 RMS ON-Orbit Init

12/09/99 3:45:00 AM 0 000/02:35:00 RMS ON-Orbit Init

12/09/99 3:50:00 AM 0 000/02:40:00 SSE ACT

12/09/99 4:40:00 AM 0 000/03:30:00 Ergometer S/U

12/09/99 6:00:00 AM 0 000/04:50:00 OMS Burn NC1

12/09/99 8:10:00 AM 0 000/07:00:00 Sleep FDO 1

12/09/99 4:10:00 PM 0 000/15:00:00 FD2 Wakeup

12/09/99 7:20:00 PM 0 000/18:10:00 10.2 CAB DEPR (N)

12/09/99 7:40:00 PM 0 000/18:30:00 RMS Powerup

12/09/99 7:55:00 PM 0 000/18:45:00 MAGR On Orbit Setup

12/09/99 7:55:00 PM 0 000/18:45:00 RMS Checkout

12/09/99 8:05:00 PM 0 000/18:55:00 FC Purge- Manual

12/09/99 8:15:00 PM 0 000/19:05:00 SIGI On Orbit Setup

12/09/99 8:20:00 PM 0 000/19:10:00 OSVS Pwrup

12/09/99 8:40:00 PM 0 000/19:30:00 SSE C/O

12/09/99 8:40:00 PM 0 000/19:30:00 SSE Survey

12/09/99 9:20:00 PM 0 000/20:10:00 FSS PREP for BRTHG

12/09/99 9:20:00 PM 0 000/20:10:00 RMS PLB Survey

12/09/99 9:50:00 PM 0 000/20:40:00 RCS BURN NPC

12/09/99 11:10:00 PM 0 000/22:00:00 MEAL FD 02

12/10/99 12:15:00 AM 0 000/23:05:00 AIRLOCK PREP

12/10/99 12:15:00 AM 0 000/23:05:00 RNDZ Tools C/O

12/10/99 12:45:00 AM 0 000/23:35:00 "EMU C/O #3,4 W/GLVS"

12/10/99 12:45:00 AM 0 000/23:35:00 EVA Tool Unstow/CNFG

12/10/99 12:45:00 AM 0 000/23:35:00 Hand Held Laser C/O

12/10/99 3:00:00 AM 1 001/01:50:00 "EMU C/O #1,2 W/GLVS"

12/10/99 3:00:00 AM 1 001/01:50:00 Fuel Cell MON OPS

12/10/99 3:20:00 AM 1 001/02:10:00 PAO Oppty

12/10/99 3:45:00 AM 1 001/02:35:00 OMS Burn NSR

12/10/99 4:45:00 AM 1 001/03:35:00 RCS Burn NC2

12/10/99 7:40:00 AM 1 001/06:30:00 SLEEP FDO 2

12/10/99 3:40:00 PM 1 001/14:30:00 FD03 Wakeup

12/10/99 4:20:00 PM 1 001/15:10:00 SIMO Dump INIT

12/10/99 5:25:00 PM 1 001/16:15:00 SIMO Dump TERM

12/10/99 6:05:00 PM 1 001/16:55:00 RCS Burn NC3

14
12/10/99 6:53:00 PM 1 001/17:43:00 HST RNDZ

12/11/99 12:02:00 AM 1 001/22:52:00 HST to Grapple ATT

12/11/99 1:37:00 AM 2 002/00:27:00 HST to DRIFT Mode

12/11/99 1:37:00 AM 2 002/00:27:00 HST BERTH

12/11/99 2:02:00 AM 2 002/00:52:00 LATCH & MATE HST

12/11/99 2:37:00 AM 2 002/01:27:00 Berthed HST Survey

12/11/99 2:37:00 AM 2 002/01:27:00 HST EXTRNL PWR Act

12/11/99 2:54:00 AM 2 002/01:44:00 EVA 1 Tool Config

12/11/99 3:09:00 AM 2 002/01:59:00 Middeck Prep For EVA

12/11/99 4:09:00 AM 2 002/02:59:00 RMS Extended Park

12/11/99 5:10:00 AM 2 002/04:00:00 Next Day's EVA RVW

12/11/99 7:10:00 AM 2 002/06:00:00 SLEEP FD03

12/11/99 3:10:00 PM 2 002/14:00:00 FD04 Wakeup

12/11/99 5:10:00 PM 2 002/16:00:00 EVA 1 Prep

12/11/99 6:40:00 PM 2 002/17:30:00 EMU Purg/Prbrth (:50)

12/11/99 7:55:00 PM 2 002/18:45:00 EVA 1 Start

12/11/99 8:10:00 PM 2 002/19:00:00 Initial EVA Setup

12/11/99 9:10:00 PM 2 002/20:00:00 "RSU #1,2,3 Changout"

12/11/99 11:55:00 PM 2 002/22:45:00 Open NICMOS Valves

12/12/99 12:10:00 AM 2 002/23:00:00 AFT SHRD Door Close

12/12/99 12:20:00 AM 2 002/23:10:00 MFR Swap

12/12/99 12:30:00 AM 2 002/23:20:00 VIK INST

12/12/99 1:40:00 AM 3 003/00:30:00 Daily Closeout

12/12/99 2:20:00 AM 3 003/01:10:00 EVA 1 End A/L Pre Repress

12/12/99 2:40:00 AM 3 003/01:30:00 Post EVA W/H20 Rechg

12/12/99 3:10:00 AM 3 003/02:00:00 RMS Extended Park

12/12/99 3:40:00 AM 3 003/02:30:00 EVA 2 Tool Config

12/12/99 4:55:00 AM 3 003/03:45:00 Next Day's EVA RVW

12/12/99 7:10:00 AM 3 003/06:00:00 SLEEP FD04

12/12/99 3:10:00 PM 3 003/14:00:00 FD05 Wakeup

12/12/99 5:20:00 PM 3 003/16:10:00 EVA 2 PREP

12/12/99 6:50:00 PM 3 003/17:40:00 EMU Purg/Prbrth (:50)

12/12/99 8:05:00 PM 3 003/18:55:00 EVA 2 Start

12/12/99 8:20:00 PM 3 003/19:10:00 Daily Setup

12/12/99 8:50:00 PM 3 003/19:40:00 Computer CHNGOUT

12/12/99 10:45:00 PM 3 003/21:35:00 MFR Swap

12/12/99 10:55:00 PM 3 003/21:45:00 FGS-2 CHNGOUT

12/13/99 1:50:00 AM 4 004/00:40:00 Daily Closeout

12/13/99 2:30:00 AM 4 004/01:20:00 EVA 2 End A/L Pre Repress

12/13/99 2:50:00 AM 4 004/01:40:00 Post EVA W/H20 Rechg

12/13/99 3:40:00 AM 4 004/02:30:00 RMS Extended Park

12/13/99 3:53:00 AM 4 004/02:43:00 EVA 3 Tool CNFG

12/13/99 5:10:00 AM 4 004/04:00:00 Next Day's EVA RVW

15
12/13/99 5:15:00 AM 4 004/04:05:00 SIMO Dump INIT

12/13/99 6:20:00 AM 4 004/05:10:00 SIMO Dump TERM

12/13/99 7:10:00 AM 4 004/06:00:00 SLEEP FD05

12/13/99 3:10:00 PM 4 004/14:00:00 FD06 Wakeup Post Sleep- STS

Crew

12/13/99 5:20:00 PM 4 004/16:10:00 EVA 3 Prep

12/13/99 6:50:00 PM 4 004/17:40:00 EMU Purg/Prbrth (:50)

12/13/99 8:05:00 PM 4 004/18:55:00 EVA 3 Start

12/13/99 8:35:00 PM 4 004/19:25:00 OCE EK INST

12/13/99 9:05:00 PM 4 004/19:55:00 SSA XMTR INST

12/13/99 10:15:00 PM 4 004/21:05:00 SSR/ESTR3 Changeout

12/13/99 11:20:00 PM 4 004/22:10:00 MFR Swap

12/13/99 11:30:00 PM 4 004/22:20:00 MLI Repair Bay 5-10

12/14/99 1:50:00 AM 5 005/00:40:00 Daily Closeout

12/14/99 2:30:00 AM 5 005/01:20:00 EVA 3 End

12/14/99 2:50:00 AM 5 005/01:40:00 Post EVA W/H20 Rechg

12/14/99 3:25:00 AM 5 005/02:15:00 RMS Extended Park

12/14/99 3:50:00 AM 5 005/02:40:00 EVA 4 Tool Config

12/14/99 5:10:00 AM 5 005/04:00:00 Next Day's EVA RVW

12/14/99 7:10:00 AM 5 005/06:00:00 SLEEP FD06

12/14/99 3:10:00 PM 5 005/14:00:00 FD07 Wakeup

12/14/99 5:20:00 PM 5 005/16:10:00 EVA Prep

12/14/99 6:50:00 PM 5 005/17:40:00 EMU Purg/Prbrth (:50)

12/14/99 8:05:00 PM 5 005/18:55:00 EVA 4 Start

12/14/99 8:20:00 PM 5 005/19:10:00 Daily Setup

12/14/99 8:35:00 PM 5 005/19:25:00 SSRF INST

12/14/99 10:15:00 PM 5 005/21:05:00 HGA DPY

12/15/99 12:13:00 AM 5 005/23:03:00 MFR Tether SWAP

12/15/99 12:25:00 AM 5 005/23:15:00 ASLR FOR +V2 Doors

12/15/99 1:10:00 AM 6 006/00:00:00 Final EVA Closeout

12/15/99 2:20:00 AM 6 006/01:10:00 EVA 4 End

12/15/99 2:40:00 AM 6 006/01:30:00 Post EVA W/H20 Rechg

12/15/99 3:40:00 AM 6 006/02:30:00 EVA Tool Stow

12/15/99 4:20:00 AM 6 006/03:10:00 RMS Extended Park

12/15/99 4:20:00 AM 6 006/03:10:00 SIMO Dump INIT

12/15/99 5:35:00 AM 6 006/04:25:00 SIMO Dump TERM

12/15/99 7:10:00 AM 6 006/06:00:00 SLEEP FD07

12/15/99 3:10:00 PM 6 006/14:00:00 FD08 Wakeup

12/15/99 5:56:00 PM 6 006/16:46:00 Prep For Batt CHRG

12/15/99 7:06:00 PM 6 006/17:56:00 HST GRAPPLE For Release

12/15/99 8:06:00 PM 6 006/18:56:00 Umbilical Disc

12/15/99 8:16:00 PM 6 006/19:06:00 HST Unberth & NMVR

12/15/99 8:17:00 PM 6 006/19:07:00 EXT PWR OFF/UMB Disc

12/15/99 9:04:00 PM 6 006/19:54:00 OPEN Aperature Door

16
12/15/99 9:24:00 PM 6 006/20:14:00 HST Release Prep

12/15/99 10:04:00 PM 6 006/20:54:00 Release (RMS/HST)

12/15/99 10:19:00 PM 6 006/21:09:00 Release & SEP BURNS

12/15/99 10:39:00 PM 6 006/21:29:00 FSS Stow

12/15/99 11:04:00 PM 6 006/21:54:00 RMS Powerdown

12/16/99 1:35:00 AM 7 007/00:25:00 PAO Oppty

12/16/99 2:37:00 AM 7 007/01:27:00 14.7 CAB REPR

12/16/99 6:10:00 AM 7 007/05:00:00 SLEEP FD08

12/16/99 2:10:00 PM 7 007/13:00:00 FD09 Wakeup

12/16/99 5:10:00 PM 7 007/16:00:00 PAO Oppty

12/16/99 5:30:00 PM 7 007/16:20:00 SFA Award Recording

12/16/99 5:45:00 PM 7 007/16:35:00 OFF DUTY

12/16/99 9:40:00 PM 7 007/20:30:00 OPS2 GPS Test

12/16/99 9:50:00 PM 7 007/20:40:00 MEAL

12/16/99 10:50:00 PM 7 007/21:40:00 P EVA ENT PREP (N)

12/17/99 2:15:00 AM 8 008/01:05:00 COMM STRNG1 C/O INIT

12/17/99 5:10:00 AM 8 008/04:00:00 SLEEP FD09

12/17/99 1:10:00 PM 8 008/12:00:00 FD10 Wakeup

12/17/99 3:10:00 PM 8 008/14:00:00 APU HTR ACT

12/17/99 4:10:00 PM 8 008/15:00:00 OPS3 GPS TEST

12/17/99 5:46:00 PM 8 008/16:36:00 CREW CONF

12/17/99 6:31:00 PM 8 008/17:21:00 CREW PHOTO

12/17/99 7:06:00 PM 8 008/17:56:00 FCS C/O

12/17/99 8:05:00 PM 8 008/18:55:00 RCS HOT FIRE

12/17/99 8:25:00 PM 8 008/19:15:00 D/O PREP BRIEF

12/17/99 8:55:00 PM 8 008/19:45:00 MEAL

12/17/99 9:55:00 PM 8 008/20:45:00 CABIN CONFIG/STOW

12/17/99 10:05:00 PM 8 008/20:55:00 RCS BURN Orbit Adjust

12/17/99 11:25:00 PM 8 008/22:15:00 SIMO DUMP INIT

12/18/99 12:25:00 AM 8 008/23:15:00 SIMO DUMPT TERM

12/18/99 1:55:00 AM 9 009/00:45:00 KU STOW

12/18/99 2:10:00 AM 9 009/01:00:00 COMM STRNG1 C/O TERM

12/18/99 5:10:00 AM 9 009/04:00:00 SLEEP FD10

12/18/99 1:10:00 PM 9 009/12:00:00 FD11 Wakeup

12/18/99 3:10:00 PM 9 009/14:00:00 FC PURGE-AUTO

12/18/99 4:03:00 PM 9 009/14:53:00 OSVS PWRDN

12/18/99 4:29:00 PM 9 009/15:19:00 MAGR/SIGI ENTRY S/U

12/18/99 4:35:00 PM 9 009/15:25:00 D/O IMU ALIGN

12/18/99 5:18:00 PM 9 009/16:08:00 DEORBIT PREP

Updated: 11/24/1999

17
STS-103

Rendezvous 

RENDEZVOUS, RETRIEVAL AND DEPLOY

Overview

 

Operations associated with rendezvous, retrieval and deploy of the Hubble

Space Telescope are similar to those associated with other space shuttle

missions.

Discovery's initial rendezvous burn is actually the launch of the shuttle from

the Kennedy Space Center, FL. The launch is precisely timed to occur

during about a 42-minute launch window as the telescope passes within a

prescribed distance of the launch site. After launch, mission control and the

crew will oversee a number of orbit adjust and course correction burns to

catch up with and retrieve the telescope on flight day three of the mission.

History/Background

 

Once Discovery is safely in orbit and the payload bay doors are opened, the

Ku-band antenna is activated and used to provide radar data to the crew

and ground during the rendezvous process. The day after launch, the crew

will checkout the shuttle's robot arm (Remote Manipulator System) to be

used throughout the mission. Also, activation of the space support

18
equipment is performed. This includes activating the flight support system

and heaters on the orbital replacement unit carrier housing the scientific

instruments and hardware that will be installed on the telescope.

The terminal initiation burn occurs about two hours prior to capture as the

shuttle reaches a distance of about eight miles behind Hubble. Several small

correction burns follow before Commander Curt Brown takes over manual

control of Discovery at a distance of about 2,500 feet below. The approach

from underneath minimizes any potential contamination to the telescope

from the shuttle's thruster firings. Because Hubble was placed in a

configuration to keep it pointed to the Sun due to its latest gyroscope failure,

Brown may have to conduct a partial flyaround of the telescope to align the

Shuttle's robot arm with Hubble's grapple fixture. 

When Discovery reaches a point about 35 feet from Hubble, astronaut

Jean-Francois Clervoy will use the robot arm to capture the telescope's

grapple fixture located midway up the HST structure.

Following capture, Hubble will be lowered onto the flight support system, a

turntable likened to a 'Lazy Susan' for its ability to rotate and tilt to assist in

the servicing tasks. An electrical cable is remotely attached to provide

orbiter power to the telescope throughout the servicing portion of the

mission.

The Flight Support System Standard Interface Panel

The day after the four space walks are completed, the solar arrays on

Hubble will be pointed toward the sun to provide electrical power and to

charge the observatory's batteries. The robot arm will be used to grapple the

telescope once again followed by transfer of power to Hubble's internal

system from the orbiter power. The twin high-gain antennas are deployed

and the telescope then will be lifted off of the flight support system and

released over the side of the orbiter in similar fashion to the deploy on both

19
The Hubble Space Telescope, following its release from the Shuttle's robot

arm during the STS-82 servicing mission. 

 

 

Updated: 11/22/1999

20
STS-103

EVAs 

HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE EXTRAVEHICULAR ACTIVITY

Overview

 

The third servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope includes four

planned space walks by four astronauts completely cross-trained to perform

any of the scheduled tasks on any day. 

Hubble was designed to be serviced while on orbit through Extravehicular

Activity (EVA). The telescope has two grapple fixtures for the shuttle's robot

arm, handholds and handrails for use by the astronauts, and electrical

connections and bolts designed for easier manipulation by the crew while

wearing pressurized space suits. 

As was the case on the first two servicing missions in December 1993 and

February 1997, the tasks scheduled for the space walks have been prioritized

to make maximum use of the time that the astronauts are in the payload bay.

 

Steve Smith holds one of the tools used during a spacewalk to service the

Hubble Space Telescope during the STS-82 mission. 

The four astronauts will work in teams of two to perform the work on

alternating days to allow a rest day between each space walk. Steve Smith

21
and John Grunsfeld will team together on the first and third excursions

outside the crew compartment, and Mike Foale and Claude Nicollier will join

forces on space walks two and four. 

Recognizing the Spacewalkers: 

Steve Smith Solid Red Stripe

John Grunsfeld Solid White (no markings)

Mike Foale Broken Red Stripe

Claude Nicollier Diagonally Broken Red Stripe

 

As was the case in the previous servicing missions, while the individual tasks

have been prioritized, the various tasks have been designed to take into

account the possibility that crew members may encounter unforeseen

difficulties that could change the preplanned schedule of installation. The four

space walkers have been trained so that any one is capable of performing

any given task. 

22
 

As currently planned, the first space walk will feature the replacement of all

three Rate Sensor Units (RSU's) (two were replaced on the first servicing

mission - STS 61). Each RSU houses two gyroscopes used to point the

telescope for observations. In addition, Smith and Grunsfeld will then install

voltage/temperature improvement kits (VIK) to protect Hubble's batteries from

overheating as they get older. The VIK lowers each battery's charge

termination voltage. They also will open coolant valves and remove caps on

the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer, which was installed

on the second visit to Hubble in 1997. NICMOS was found to be leaking its

super-cold coolant shortly after activation. Opening the valves will allow any

residual coolant frozen in the line to dissipate in the vacuum of space in

preparation for work scheduled on the next visit in 2001. 

The second space walk will include the removal of the old computer and

installation of a new, improved computer with more power. Foale and Nicollier

also will replace one of the Fine Guidance Sensors. An FGS was replaced on

the second servicing mission. 

The third space walk includes replacement of an S-band transmitter,

installation of another Solid State Recorder, which is more efficient than the

old-style tape recorder, and attachment of new insulation on equipment bays

midway up the side of the telescope. 

The fourth and final planned space walk by Foale and Nicollier includes

activities termed 'Optional Tasks,' and includes attachment of more insulation

around the top of the telescope and covers on handrails with peeling paint.

Most of the insulation damage is on the side of the telescope that always

faces the Sun. 

Throughout the space walks, the flight support system will be rotated so that

the area being worked on faces forward to provide better visibility and access

by the robot arm.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

23
 

EVA Time Line for HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE EXTRAVEHICULAR

ACTIVITY

 

Time Event

0:00 EVA 1 Post Depress and Airlock Egress 

0:15 EVA 1 Translation Adaptation 

1:00 EVA 1 BAPS post install 

1:30 EVA 1 RSU-2R Retrieval from COPE 

1:45 EVA 1 Open -V3 Doors 

2:00 EVA 1 RSU-2 Changeout 

2:20 EVA 1 RSU-3R Retrieval from COPE 

2:40 EVA 1 RSU-3 Changeout 

3:00 EVA 1 RSU-1R Retrieval from COPE 

3:15 EVA 1 RSU-1 Changeout 

3:35 EVA 1 NICMOS Valve Reconfig 

3:50 EVA 1 Close -V3 Doors 

4:15 EVA 1 PFR/RSU-1 Stow 

4:25 EVA 1 MFR Swap 

4:50 EVA 1 VIK Retrieval from Airlock 

5:05 EVA 1 VIK Bay 3 Installation 

5:30 EVA 1 VIK Bay 2 Installation 

5:45 EVA 1 Daily Closeout 

6:15 EVA 1 Airlock Ingress and Pre Repress 

0:00 EVA 2 Post Depress and Airlock Egress 

0:15 EVA 2 Daily Setup 

0:20 EVA 2 Translation Adaptation 

0:45 EVA 2 Bay 1 Door Opening/DF-224 Removal 

0:50 EVA 2 486 Retrieval from LOPE 

1:15 EVA 2 Computer Swap 

1:45 EVA 2 486 Installation 

2:00 EVA 2 NOBL Installation 

2:30 EVA 2 MFR Swap 

3:00 EVA 2 PFR Retrieval/Installation 

3:20 EVA 2 Open +V3 Doors 

24
3:45 EVA 2 FGS-2 Removal from HST 

4:15 EVA 2 FGS-2R Removal from FSIPE 

4:30 EVA 2 FGS-2R Installation into HST 

5:00 EVA 2 FGS-2 Installation into FSIPE 

5:30 EVA 2 PFR Stow 

5:40 EVA 2 Daily Closeout 

6:15 EVA 2 Airlock Ingress and Pre Repress 

0:00 EVA 3 Post Depress and Airlock Egress 

0:15 EVA 3 Daily Setup 

0:45 EVA 3 OCE-EK Mate 

1:00 EVA 3 Close Bay C Door 

1:15 EVA 3 SSAT-2 Removal 

1:30 EVA 3 SSAT-2R Retrieval 

1:35 EVA 3 SSAT Swap at Bay 5; SSAT-2 Stow 

2:00 EVA 3 SSAT-2R Installation 

2:30 EVA 3 ESTR-3 Removal 

2:45 EVA 3 SSR-3/ESTR-3 Swap 

3:00 EVA 3 SSR-3 Installation 

3:05 EVA 3 Bay 5 MLI Removal 

3:15 EVA 3 MFR Swap 

3:30 EVA 3 NOBL Operations 

3:35 EVA 3 Bay 5 & 6 NOBL Retrieval 

4:00 EVA 3 Bay 5 & 6 Installation 

4:15 EVA 3 Bay 7 & 8 MLI Patch Removal 

4:30 EVA 3 Bay 7 & 8 NOBL Retrieval 

4:45 EVA 3 Bay 7 & 8 Installation 

5:10 EVA 3 Bay 10 MLI Patch Removal 

5:20 EVA 3 Bay 9 & 10 NOBL Retrieval 

5:40 EVA 3 Bay 9 & 10 Installation 

5:45 EVA 3 Daily Closeout 

6:15 EVA 3 Airlock Ingress and Pre Repress 

0:00 EVA 4 Post Depress and Airlock Egress 

0:15 EVA 4 Daily Setup 

0:30 EVA 4 SSRF Operations 

0:35 EVA 4 Safety Tether Transfer 

25
0:45 EVA 4 SSRF 5,6,7 & Rib Clamp Retrieval 

1:00 EVA 4 SSRF Rib Clamp Installation 

1:15 EVA 4 SSRF 5,6 & 7 Installation 

2:00 EVA 4 SSRF 1,2,3 & 4 Retrieval 

2:15 EVA 4 SSRF 1 Installation 

2:45 EVA 4 SSRF 2 Installation 

3:15 EVA 4 SSRF 3 Installation 

3:45 EVA 4 SSRF 4 Installation 

4:15 EVA 4 Safety Tether Reconfig 

4:20 EVA 4 MFR Swap 

4:25 EVA 4 SSRF Caddy Stow 

4:30 EVA 4 +V2 Latch Repair 

4:45 EVA 4 ASLR Retrieval 

5:00 EVA 4 ASLR Installation 

5:15 EVA 4 Final Closeout 

6:15 EVA 4 Airlock Ingress and Pre Repress 

 

 

26
STS-103

Payloads 

Fine Guidance Sensor

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

During the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 3A, astronauts will

exchange the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS) with a refurbished unit that has

an enhanced on-orbit alignment capability. The refurbished FGS on SM3A

is the same unit that was returned from Servicing Mission 2. The FGS

returned from SM3A will be refurbished and upgraded for re-use on

Hubble's 4th Servicing Mission. 

An FGS, an optical sensor, consists of a large structure housing a collection

of mirrors, lenses, servos, prisms, beam-splitters and photomultiplier tubes.

The FGS is 5.5 x 4 x 2 feet, weighs 478 pounds and has 19 watts of power.

There are three fine guidance sensors on Hubble located at 90-degree

intervals around the circumference of the Telescope. Two FGSs are used to

point the Telescope at an astronomical target and hold that target in the

scientific instrument's field of view. The third FGS can then be used as a

scientific instrument for astrometry. Astrometry is the science that deals with

the determination of precise positions and motions of stars. The FGS's can

provide star positions that are about 10 times more precise than those

observed from a ground based telescope. When used for astrometric

science the fine guidance sensors will let Hubble: search for a wobble in the

motion of nearby stars that could indicate the presence of a planetary

companion; determine if certain stars really are double stars; measure the

angular diameter of stars, galaxies and other celestial objects; refine the

positions, distances and energy output of stars; and help determine the true

distance scale for the universe. 

The fine guidance sensors are one of the sensors used by Hubble's pointing

control system to point the Telescope at a target with an accuracy of 0.01

arcsec. An arcsec is the width of a paperclip wire viewed from the distance

of two football fields. With this fine precision, the guidance sensors lock on

to a star and then measure any apparent motion to an accuracy of 0.0028

arcsec. This gives Hubble the ability to remain pointed at that target with no

more than 0.007 arc-sec of deviation over long periods of time. This level of

stability and precision is comparable to being able to hold a laser beam

focused on a dime that is 200 miles away (the distance from Washington

D.C. to New York City).

27
STS-103

Payloads 

Gyroscopes

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

The gyroscopes, or gyros, on the Hubble Space Telescope are needed for

pointing the telescope. They measure attitude when Hubble is changing its

pointing from one target (a star or planet, for example) to another, and they

help control the telescope's pointing while scientists are observing targets.

Three gyros must operate simultaneously to provide enough information to

control Hubble. There are a total of six gyros on board, three serve as

backups. Each gyroscope is packaged in a Rate Sensor assembly. The

Rate Sensors are packaged in pairs in boxes called Rate Sensor Units

(RSUs). It is the RSU that astronauts change when they replace gyros, so

gyros are always replaced two at a time. The Rate Sensors are 2.75 x 6.5

inches and weigh 6 pounds. The RSUs are 12.8 x 10.5 x 8.9 inches and

weigh 24.3 pounds. 

The gyros work by a scientific principal called the gyroscopic effect. This

effect can be demonstrated by holding a bicycle wheel by the axle and

asking someone to spin the tire. If you try to move the axle of the spinning

wheel, you would feel a movement in a direction different from the way you

were attempting to move it. This movement is similar to the way the gyros

move when Hubble moves. 

The gyroscopic movement is achieved by a wheel inside each gyro that

spins at a constant rate of 19,200 rpm on gas bearings. This wheel is

mounted in a sealed cylinder, which floats in a thick fluid. Electricity is

carried to the motor by thin wires (approximately the size of a human hair)

which are immersed in the fluid. Electronics within the gyro detect very small

movements of the axis of the wheel and communicate this information to

Hubble's central computer. 

The gyros are extraordinarily stable and can detect extremely small

movements of the Telescope. The gyros are the most accurate in the world

and, combined with other fine pointing devices, keep HST pointing for long

periods of time to collect spectacular images of very faint galaxies, planets

and stars not visible from Earth.

Currently, only two of the Hubble's six gyros are working and science

operations have been suspended. 

28
History/Background

Four new gyros were installed during the First Servicing Mission in 1993. All

six gyros were working during the Second Servicing Mission in 1997. Since

then, a gyro failed in 1997, the second failed in 1998 and the third failed

earlier this year, and the fourth failed on November 13, placing the

telescope in temporary hibernation from science operations.

The Hubble team believes they understand the cause of the failures,

although they cannot be certain until the gyros are returned from space and

taken apart. Based on nearly one and a half years of intensive chemical,

mechanical and electrical investigations, the team believes that the thin

wires are being corroded by the fluid in which they are immersed and

ultimately this corrosion causes them to break. The fluid is very thick (about

the thickness of 10W-30 motor oil), and in order to force this fluid into its

float cavity, pressurized air was used. The team believes that eventually,

oxygen in the air interacted with the fluid to create a small amount of

corrosive material and the wires were partially eaten away. Sometimes the

wires were strong enough to carry electricity and some-times they were not

and they broke. Pressurized nitrogen is now used instead of pressurized air.

Using pressurized nitrogen eliminates the introduction of oxygen into this

fluid.

Updated: 11/22/1999

29
STS-103

Payloads 

New Advanced Computer

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

When the Space Shuttle lifts off, it will carry a new advanced computer

designed to replace the current computer on the Hubble Space Telescope.

Hubble's main computer is responsible for monitoring the health of its many

systems, for controlling the movement of the Telescope from target to

target, and for holding the Telescope steady when observing. 

The current computer, called the DF-224, was designed in the late 1970's

and its capabilities are less advanced than today's modern computers.

Programming requires very specialized skills, unique to this computer, and

maintaining the software is difficult and expensive. The DF-224 computer

has degraded over the years and during the First Servicing Mission in 1993

it was augmented with an additional computer called a co-processor. The

design of the co-processor was based on the Intel 80386 microchip.

The new advanced computer will be based on the Intel 80486 microchip.

This new computer will be 20 times faster, and have six times as much

memory, as the current computer on Hubble. In a good example of NASA's

goal of "faster, cheaper, better," commercially developed, commonly

available equipment was used to build this new computer at a fraction of the

price it would cost to build a specialized computer designed specifically for

the spaceflight environment. NASA performed a number of mechanical,

electrical, radiation and thermal tests to guarantee that the computer would

survive the trip to orbit, withstand bombardment by cosmic and solar

radiation and work flawlessly in the extreme temperatures of space for the

rest of Hubble's life. 

As a final check, NASA carried the computer to space in the Space Shuttle

for 10 days in 1998 during the STS-95 mission. The computer worked

perfectly. The greater capabilities of the new computer will increase

productivity for the Hubble observatory by performing more work in space

and less work by people on the ground. The computer software will be

programmed in a modern programming language, decreasing the cost for

software maintenance. 

Updated: 11/22/1999

30
STS-103

Payloads 

New Thermal Blanket Layers

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

During the 1999 servicing mission, astronauts will cover Hubble Space

Telescope with permanent sheets called the New Outer Blanket Layer, or

NOBL. The crew also will carry a special fabric, called the Shell/Shield

Replacement Fabric, or SSRF. 

The SSRF is scheduled for installation on Servicing Missions 3A and 3B.

During SM3A astronauts will install the SSRF on Hubble's forward shell and

light shield if time is available.

The NOBL covers and SSRF pieces are designed to protect Hubble's

external blankets. They will prevent Hubble's insulation from further

degradation and maintain normal operating temperatures. NASA tested the

materials to ensure that they can withstand exposure to charged particles,

X-rays, ultraviolet radiation, and thermal cycling for at least ten years.

Astronauts will install seven NOBL covers on Hubble's electronics bay

doors. The covers are specially coated stainless steel foil trimmed to fit

each particular door. Each cover is supported by a steel picture-frame

structure. Expanding plugs, like common kitchen bottle stoppers, fit into

door vent holes to allow quick installation.

The SSRF pieces are designed to cover the Telescope's forward shell and

light shield. The fabric is composed of flexible, aluminized Teflon© with

rip-stop material bonded to the backside. Astronauts will use wire clips to

attach each SSRF piece to convenient attachment points such as handrails,

brackets and struts. Seven pieces up to 22 feet (7 meters) long will cover 80

percent of the sun-side light shield and forward shell. The fabric pieces are

stored in rolls for their trip to orbit.
During the Hubble Space Telescope Second Servicing Mission in 1997,

astronauts detected damage to some of the Telescope's thermal insulation.

Years of exposure to the harsh environment of space had taken a toll on

Hubble's protective multi-layer insulation, and some areas were torn or

broken. This multi-layer insulation protects the Telescope from the severe

and rapid temperature changes it experiences as it moves through its 90-

minute orbit from very hot sun to very cold night.

Although the cracks looked dramatic, the damage was limited to the

outermost layer and did not affect the insulation's protective function or

Hubble's operation. With help from ground controllers, the astronauts used

materials aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1997 to fashion temporary

patches. They installed them over the most critically damaged areas, mostly

on Hubble's sun-facing side.

Astronaut Mark Lee patches insulation on the telescope during STS-82. 

32
STS-103

Payloads 

Payload Overview

Overview

 

Hubble's Mission 

The Hubble Space Telescope's mission is to spend 20 years probing the

farthest and faintest reaches of the cosmos. This unique observatory

operates around the clock, above the Earth's atmosphere, to gather

information for teams of scientists who study virtually all the components of

our universe, including planets, star-forming regions of the Milky Way

galaxy, distant galaxies and quasars. Crucial to fulfilling this mission is a

series of scheduled, on-orbit servicing missions. During these servicing

missions, astronauts perform a number of planned repairs and

maintenance activities to upgrade the observatory's capabilities. The first

servicing mission took place in December 1993, the second in February

1997. Servicing mission 3B is scheduled for 2001. The fourth and final

servicing mission is currently planned for 2003. 

The Hubble Space Telescope prior to its release during STS-82

33
Mission Overview 

What's Being Replaced 

Rate Sensor Units: The Rate Sensor Units allow the Telescope to point at

stars, planets and other celestial targets. Three are aboard Hubble, and

each unit contains two gyroscopes. Hubble needs three of these six

gyroscopes to meet its very precise pointing requirements, and the other

three are spares. (Gyroscopes have limited lifetimes, and currently only two

are working properly.) As a result, all science operations have been

temporarily suspended. Astronauts will replace all three units, leaving

Hubble with six fresh gyroscopes. 

Fine Guidance Sensor: This is the second in a "round-robin" series of

changeouts and refurbishments of the three fine guidance sensors, which

allow fine pointing and keep Hubble stable. The SM3A refurbished Fine

Guidance Sensor is the same unit that was returned from Servicing Mission

2. The Fine Guidance Sensor returned from this mission will be refurbished

and upgraded for re-use on Hubble's fourth Servicing Mission. 

New Spacecraft Computer: The radiation-rugged computer will replace

Hubble's original, outdated main computer. The new computer will

dramatically increase operational capabilities, reduce the burden of flight

software maintenance, and significantly lower operational costs. 

Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kits: As Hubble's batteries age, they

become more susceptible to overheating if overcharged. The

Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit compensates for this by lowering the

battery's charge termination voltage. Astronauts will install one kit for each

of Hubble's six batteries. 

Spare S-Band Single Access Transmitter: The transmitter replaces an

aged and failed unit. That unit will be removed, returned to Earth and

refurbished for a later flight. 

Spare Solid State Recorder: The digital data recorder will serve as a high

capacity backup to the Solid State Recorder that replaced a mechanical

tape recorder in 1997. It is essential for efficiently handling the high

volumes of data from Hubble's newest instruments and for maintaining high

science productivity. 

New Outer Blanket Layer: Stainless steel sheets will be installed in

various locations on the Telescope to help control Hubble's internal

temperature. Covered with a protective thermal coating, these sheets will fit

over existing insulation that has degraded. The following tasks will be

performed on SM3A, time permitting. If there is insufficient time, these tasks

will be completed on SM3B: 

34
Shell/Shield Replacement Fabric: Flexible aluminized Teflon sheets will

be added to the exterior surfaces of Hubble's forward shell and light shield.

This protective covering provides additional insulation against the harsh

space environment. 

Aft Shroud Latch Repair Kit: Astronauts will replace latches on Hubble's

bay door. During Servicing Mission 2, Astronauts observed galling on these

latches. The galling was caused by high torque. 

Handrail Covers: Fiberglass cloth, called beta cloth, will be fitted like

sleeves around the handrails above the Fine Guidance Sensors bay to

prevent contamination to the Aft Shroud area. Flaking paint was observed

on these handrails during Servicing Mission 2. 

 

Updated: 11/22/1999

35
STS-103

Payloads 

S-Band Single Access Transmitter

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

During Servicing Mission 3A, astronauts will replace a faulty S-Band Single

Access Transmitter (SSAT) with a spare. The SSAT sends the data from

Hubble Space Telescope to the ground by radio. There are two identical

S-Band Single Access Transmitters on-board Hubble. "S-Band" identifies

the radio frequency and "Single Access" specifies a type of antenna on

NASA's communications satellites. One of the two SSATs failed in 1998.

The other SSAT has been able to shoulder the load and Hubble's

observing program has not been affected. Hubble can operate with one

transmitter by making additional commands to rotate the telescope.

Optimally, the telescope operates with two SSATs.

The SSAT is 14 x 8 x 2 3/4 inches and weighs 8.5 pounds. Some of the

cables and connectors are smaller versions of the ones on the back of

television sets. Because the connectors are difficult to handle with bulky

space suit gloves, special enhancements have been made to the new unit

to aid the astronauts. In addition, a special connector tool helps to remove

and install the connectors. The failed transmitter will be returned to Earth

and refurbished for a later flight.

The purpose of the Hubble Space Telescope is to gather light from cosmic

objects so scientists can better understand the universe around us. Hubble

is in space, astronomers are on Earth. The light that is gathered and

magnified by the Telescope is first sent to one of Hubble's scientific

instruments. Devices similar to those in digital cameras convert the light to

computer bits of information for processing. The computerized science data

are then either transmitted immediately from the spacecraft or stored in one

of Hubble's on-board recorders for future transmission.

The transmissions are directed by one of Hubble's two big communications

dishes. Strangely enough, Hubble's transmissions don't go down to the

ground, only about 360 miles below, they go up. Approximately 22,000

miles above the Earth, nestled among commercial communications

satellites, are a few NASA communications satellites. NASA uses these

satellites to collect transmissions from its many scientific satellites

36
satellites to collect transmissions from its many scientific satellites

(including Hubble) and beam them down to a ground station in New Mexico.

From there Hubble's scientific data ultimately ends up at Hubble's Space

Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore, Md. After processing, the data are

available to astronomers. 

Updated: 11/22/1999

37
STS-103

Payloads 

Solid State Recorder

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

To communicate with its operators on the ground, the Hubble Space

Telescope uses a group of NASA satellites called the Tracking and Data

Relay Satellite System (TDRSS). By way of TDRSS, Hubble sends the data

from its science instruments and spacecraft systems to the Space

Telescope Operations Control Center at NASA's Goddard Space Flight

Center in Greenbelt, Md. When the TDRSS link is not available, Hubble

stores its science and engineering data in onboard recorders for playback

at a later time. Hubble records all of its science data to prevent any

possible loss of unique information. 

Prior to the Second Servicing Mission, Hubble used three 1970s-style,

reel-to-reel tape recorders. In February 1997, astronauts replaced one of

these mechanical recorders with a digital Solid State Recorder. During

Servicing Mission 3A, astronauts will remove a second mechanical tape

recorder and install a second Solid State Recorder.

Unlike the reel-to-reel recorder it replaces, the Solid State Recorder has no

reels, no tape, and no moving parts to wear out and limit lifetime. Data is

digitally stored in computer-like memory chips until Hubble's operators

command its playback. Although the Solid State Recorder is about the

same size and shape as the reel-to-reel recorder, it can hold approximately

ten times as much data. It stores 12 gigabits of data, while the tape

recorder it replaces can hold only 1.2 gigabits. This ten times greater

storage has proven essential in allowing Hubble's new, high-tech scientific

instruments to be fully productive. The Solid State Recorder is 12 x 9 x 7

inches and weighs 25 pounds.

State-of-the-art electronics provide the Solid State Recorder with more

capability and flexibility than a reel-to-reel recorder. This digital recorder is

designed to perform the tasks of two separate mechanical recorders. Unlike

a mechanical recorder, the Solid State Recorder can record and play back

data simultaneously. Another advantage is its ability to record two data

streams at the same time, allowing both the science and engineering data

38
streams to be captured on a single recorder. Unlike the reel-to-reel

recorders, data can be played back without having to rewind the tape, and

information can be instantly accessed. 

Reel-to-reel tape recorders can fall victim to single-point failures, such as a

break in the tape or a mechanical defect. The Solid State Recorder does

not have mechanically moving parts, and its memory modules have a very

low failure rate. This digital recorder is designed to grow old gracefully,

compensating for situations such as a bad chip or a bad module. The

recorder automatically detects, corrects and reports random errors in

memory. If the failure is too difficult to correct, the affected area can be

isolated and skipped over, leaving the rest of memory fully functional. The

old, mechanical recorders also had to be sealed in a pressurized enclosure

to protect the tape and the delicately lubricated moving parts from the

hazards of a space vacuum. This special packaging is not necessary for

the Solid State Recorder. NASA successfully tested this Solid State

Recorder during a 10-day Space Shuttle Mission (STS-95) in October

1998. Based on these results and the on-orbit performance of the unit

already aboard Hubble, NASA expects this new recorder to last the life of

the Telescope. The Solid State Recorder was developed at Goddard.

Updated: 11/22/1999

39
STS-103

Payloads 

Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kits

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

In space, the Hubble Space Telescope sees daylight and night every hour

and a half. Hubble uses solar energy, collected by the solar arrays, to

power its computers and science instruments. At night when there is no

Sun, Hubble uses its batteries for power. These batteries are then

recharged during Hubble's next day.

Astronauts will install a battery Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kit (VIK)

on each of the Hubble's six batteries. Hubble's batteries are fully charged

each orbit by the Solar Arrays. Each battery is fully charged when its

respective charge controller senses a specific charge cutoff voltage. The

VIK modifies the charge cutoff voltage to a lower level to prevent battery

overcharging and associated overheating. In the Telescope, the batteries

are located in two compartments, called bays, three batteries to a bay. The

VIK is a simple device, about the size of a cell phone, weighing about three

pounds.

An automobile has a voltage regulator to control the rate of charge into its

car battery. Similarly, Hubble has charging regulators for its batteries.

Hubble's regulators use battery voltage and battery temperature to control

the rate of charge into the batteries. The batteries aboard Hubble are

almost 10 years old. They still do the job well but, as they age, they become

more sensitive to the way they are charged and become susceptible to

overheating. 

Updated: 11/22/1999

40
STS-103

DTO/DSO/RMEs 

Single-String Global Positioning System, with PGSC and GPS

DTO 700-14

Prime: Principal Investigator: Ray Nuss, Wayne

Hensley, Michael

Sarafin

Backup:

Overview

This DTO demonstrates the performance and operation of the Global

Positioning System (GPS) during orbiter ascent, on-orbit, entry, and landing

phases. A modified military GPS receiver-processor and the existing orbiter

GPS antennas will be used, and GPS data will be downlinked during all

mission phases. A payload and general support computer (PGSC) hard

drive may be used (optional) to record GPS data during ascent, entry

and/or extended orbital phases.

The single-string GPS supports operational use of GPS as a shuttle

navigation aid. This flight test of the single-string GPS

configuration--basically an extension of an earlier GPS development flight

test--entails the following:

· GPS receiver output data will be downlinked through the flight forward 2

(FF2) multiplexer/demultiplexer (MDM) and operational forward 2 (OF2)

MDM for real-time and postflight analysis.

· A PGSC may be connected to the receiver's RS-422 instrumentation port

to collect data during ascent, entry and/or orbital phases (optional). 

· The crew may be requested to perform various activities, such as

exercising certain GPS SOP and navigation commands and/or cycling

power to the GPS receiver. Requirements for this option are defined

specifically for each mission to achieve the following objectives whenever

feasible: (a) incorporate GPS to NAV in OPS 201 (PASS), (b) incorporate

GPS to NAV in OPS 301 (PASS and BFS), and (c) perform GPS receiver

commands (via crew keyboard item entries) during OPS 201. 

41
History/Background

DTO 700-14 has manifested on nine previous shuttle missions. It last flew

on STS-96.

Updated: 11/22/1999

42
STS-103

DTO/DSO/RMEs 

Space Integrated Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation

System (SIGI)

DTO 700-15

Prime:

Backup:

Overview

The SIGI system is intended to replace the shuttle's onboard tactical

navigation system and, eventually, its inertial measurement units. The

objective of this DTO is to evaluate the system's performance during space

flight and assess the technical and schedule risks of using this new

technology in the shuttle navigation systems.

In addition to demonstrating the new navigation system's performance in a

realistic space vehicle environment during all mission phases, DTO 700-15

will prove the ability of the modified commercial military-grade unit to

accurately perform all required functions and determine if any changes of

the unit are needed to support navigation in space.

History/Background

DTO 700-15 has previously manifested on six shuttle missions. It was last

flown on STS-96. Fourteen flights are planned.

Updated: 11/22/1999

43
STS-103

Media Assistance 

NASA Television Transmission

NASA Television is available through the GE2 satellite system which is

located on Transponder 9C, at 85 degrees west longitude, frequency

3880.0 MHz, audio 6.8 MHz.

The schedule for television transmissions from the orbiter and for mission

briefings will be available during the mission at Kennedy Space Center, FL;

Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL; Dryden Flight Research

Center, Edwards, CA; Johnson Space Center, Houston, TX; and NASA

Headquarters, Washington, DC. The television schedule will be updated to

reflect changes dictated by mission operations.

Status Reports

Status reports on countdown and mission progress, on-orbit activities and

landing operations will be produced by the appropriate NASA newscenter

Briefings

A mission press briefing schedule will be issued before launch. During the

mission, status briefings by a flight director or mission operations

representative and when appropriate, representatives from the payload

team, will occur at least once each day. The updated NASA television

schedule will indicate when mission briefings are planned.

Internet Information

Information is available through several sources on the Internet. The

primary source for mission information is the NASA Shuttle Web, part of the

World Wide Web. This site contains information on the crew and its mission

and will be updated regularly with status reports, photos and video clips

throughout the flight. The NASA Shuttle Web's address is:

http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov

If that address is busy or unavailable, Shuttle Information is available

through the Office of Space Flight Home Page:

http://www.hq.nasa.gov/osf/

General information on NASA and its programs is available through the

NASA Home Page and the NASA Public Affairs Home Page:

44
http://www.nasa.gov

or

http://www.nasa.gov/newsinfo/index.html

Information on other current NASA activities is available through the

Today@NASA page:

http://www.nasa.gov/today.html

The NASA TV schedule is available from the NTV Home Page:

http://www.nasa.gov/ntv

Status reports, TV schedules and other information also are available from

the NASA headquarters FTP (File Transfer Protocol) server,

ftp.hq.nasa.gov. Log in as anonymous and go to the directory /pub/pao.

Users should log on with the user name "anonymous" (no quotes), then

enter their E-mail address as the password. Within the /pub/pao directory

there will be a "readme.txt" file explaining the directory structure:

* Pre-launch status reports (KSC): ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/statrpt/ksc

* Mission status reports (KSC): ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/statrpt/jsc

* Daily TV Schedules: ftp.hq.nasa.gov/pub/pao/statrpt/jsc/tvsked.

NASA Spacelink, a resource for educators, also provides mission

information via the Internet. Spacelink may be accessed at the following

address:

http://spacelink.nasa.gov

Access by Compuserve

Users with Compuserve accounts can access NASA press releases by

typing "GO NASA" (no quotes) and making a selection from the categories

offered.

Updated: 11/22/1999

 

45
STS-103

Media Contacts 

NASA PAO CONTACTS

Eileen Hawley Astronauts/Mission Operations 281 483-5111

Johnson Space Center

Houston, TX

eileen.hawley1@jsc.nasa.gov

Ray Villard Hubble Science Program 410 338-4514

Space Telescope Science Institute

Baltimore, MD

Nancy Neal Payload and Science

Operations and Servicing

301 286-0039

Goddard Space Flight Center

Greenbelt, MD

Nancy.G.Neal.1@gsfc.nasa.gov

Donald Savage Space Science Policy, Budget 202-358-1547

NASA Headquarters

Washington, DC

donald.savage@hq.nasa.gov

Beth Hill Space Shuttle 714 372-4736

Boeing

Huntington Beach, CA

sara.b.hill@boeing.com

Alan Buis Space Shuttle 714 372-4734

Boeing 

Huntington Beach, CA

alan.d.buis@boeing.com

Dan Beck Space Shuttle Main Engine 818 586-4572

Boeing Rocketdyne

, CA

daniel.c.beck@boeing.com

46
Dwayne Brown Space Shuttle/Space Station

Policy

202 358-1726

NASA Headquarters

Washington, DC

dwayne.brown@hq.nasa.gov

Updated: 11/22/1999

47
Table prepared by Richard W. Orloff, 02/2001 

SHUTTLE FLIGHTS AS OF DECEMBER 1999 

95 TOTAL FLIGHTS OF THE SHUTTLE SYSTEM -- 70 SINCE RETURN TO FLIGHT 

STS-93 

07/23/99 - 07/27/99 

STS-96 

05/27/99 - 06/06/99 

STS-90 

04/17/98 - 05/03/98 

STS-95 

10/29/98 - 11/07/98 

STS-87 

11/19/97 - 12/05/97 

STS-91 

06/02/09 - 06/12/98 

STS-94 

07/01/97 - 07/17/97 

STS-85 

08/07/97 - 08/19/97 

STS-83 

04/04/97 - 04/08/97 

STS-82 

02/11//97 - 02/21/97 

STS-80 

11/19/96 - 12/07/96 

STS-70 

07/13/95 - 07/22/95 

STS-78 

06/20/96 - 07/07/96 

STS-63 

02/03/95 - 02/11/95 

STS-86 

09/25/97 - 10/06/97 

STS-75 

02/22/96 - 03/09/96 

STS-64 

09/09/94 - 09/20/94 

STS-84 

05/15/97 - 05/24/97 

STS-73 

10/20/95 - 11/05/95 

STS-60 

02/03/94 - 02/11/94 

STS-81 

01/12/97 - 01/22/97 

STS-65 

07/08/94 - 07/23/94 

STS-51 

09/12/93 - 09/22/93 

STS-79 

09/16/96 - 09/26/96 

STS-62 

03/04/94 - 03/18/94 

STS-56 

04/08/83 - 04/17/93 

STS-76 

03/22/96 - 03/31/96 

STS-58 

10/18/93 - 11/01/93 

STS-53 

12/02/92 - 12/09/92 

STS-74 

11/12/95 - 11/20/95 

STS-55 

04/26/93 - 05/06/93 

STS-42 

01/22/92 - 01/30/92 

STS-71 

06/27/95 - 07/07/95 

STS-52 

10/22/92 - 11/01/92 

STS-48 

09/12/91 - 09/18/91 

STS-66 

11/03/94 - 11/14/94 

STS-88 

12/04/98 - 12/15/98 

STS-50 

06/25/92 - 07/09/92 

STS-39 

04/28/91 - 05/06/91 

STS-46 

07/31/92 - 08/08/92 

STS-89 

01/22/98 - 01/31/98 

STS-40 

06/05/91 - 06/14/91 

STS-41 

10/06/90 - 10/10/90 

STS-45 

03/24/92 - 04/02/92 

STS-77 

05/19/96 - 05/29/96 

STS-35 

12/02/90 - 12/10/90 

STS-51L 

01/28/86 

STS-31 

04/24/90 - 04/29/90 

STS-44 

11/24/91 - 12/01/91 

STS-72 

01/11/96 - 11/20/96 

STS-32 

01/09/90 - 01/20/90 

STS-61A 

10/30/85 - 11/06/85 

STS-33 

11/22/89 - 11/27/89 

STS-43 

08/02/91 - 08/11/91 

STS-69 

09/07/95 - 09/18/95 

STS-28 

08/08/89 - 08/13/89 

STS-51F 

07/29/85 - 08/06/85 

STS-29 

03/13/89 - 03/18/89 

STS-37 

04/05/91 - 04/11/91 

STS-67 

03/02/95 - 03/18/95 

STS-61C 

01/12/86 - 01/18/86 

STS-51B 

04/29/85 - 05/06/85 

STS-26 

09/29/88 - 10/03/88 

STS-38 

11/15/90 - 11/20/90 

STS-68 

09/30/94 - 10/11/94 

STS-9 

11/28/83 - 12/08/83 

STS-41G 

10/05/84 - 10/13/84 

STS-51-I 

08/27/85 - 09/03/85 

STS-36 

02/28/90 - 03/04/90 

STS-59 

04/09/94 – 04/20/94 

STS-5 

11/11/82 - 11/16/82 

STS-41C 

04/06/84 - 04/13/84 

STS-51G 

06/17/85 - 06/24/85 

STS-34 

10/18/89 - 10/23/89 

STS-61 

12/02/93 - 12/13/93 

STS-4 

06/27/82 - 07/04/82 

STS-41B 

02/03/84 - 02/11/84 

STS-51D 

04/12/85 - 04/19/85 

STS-30 

05/04/89 - 05/08/89 

STS-57 

06/21/93 - 07/01/93 

STS-3 

03/22/82 - 03/30/82 

STS-8 

08/30/83 - 09/05/83 

STS-51C 

01/24/85 - 01/27/85 

STS-27 

12/02/88 - 12/06/88 

STS-54 

01/13/93 - 01/19/93 

STS-2 

11/12/81 - 11/14/81 

STS-7 

06/18/83 - 06/24/83 

STS-51A 

11/08/84 - 11/16/84 

STS-61B 

11/26/85 - 12/03/85 

STS-47 

09/12/92 - 09/20/92 

STS-1 

04/12/81 - 04/14/81 

STS-6 

04/04/83 - 04/09/83 

STS-41D 

08/30/84 - 09/05/84 

STS-51J 

10/03/85 - 10/07/85 

STS-49 

05/07/92 - 05/16/92 

 

OV-102 

Columbia 

(26 flights) 

OV-099 

Challenger 

(10 flights) 

OV-103 

Discovery 

(26 flights) 

OV-104 

Atlantis 

(20 flights) 

OV-105 

Endeavour 

(13 flights)