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HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE:
AN OBSERVATORY IN ORBIT
| The
Hubble Space Telescope is the largest astronomical telescope ever
sent into space. It was launched in 1990 from Space Shuttle Discovery
on the STS-31 mission. From its vantage point high above Earth's obscuring
atmosphere, the telescope is providing astronomers with fascinating
new information on the state of the universe.
The
Hubble Space Telescope was designed to be delivered into orbit by
the Space Shuttle and to be serviced periodically in space by Shuttle
astronauts. The first servicing and repair mission was conducted
in 1993 by the crew of STS-61 on Space Shuttle Endeavour.
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HUBBLE
SPACE TELESCOPE
 This full-size test vehicle was used
from 1972 to 1985 at the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in
Sunnyvale, California, during the development of the Hubble Space
Telescope. It resembles the actual telescope in size and basic structure,
but it is not intended for use in space.
The
test vehicle has been refurbished twice. For an earlier exhibit,
the Museum restored its configuration for structural dynamic tests.
In 1996 thermal blankets, antennas, and other features were added
to depict the telescope's appearance in space.
Reconstructed
test vehicle transferred from Lockheed Missiles and Space Company
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| Hubble
Space Telescope |
Test Vehicle |
| Length: |
13.3 m (43 ft
6 in) |
12.9 m (42 ft
4 in) |
| Diameter: |
3.1-4.3 m (10-14
ft) |
3.1-4.3 m (10-14
ft) |
| Weight: |
11,600 kg (25,500
lb) |
3,800 kg (8,500
lb) |
| Manufacturer: |
Lockheed Missiles
and Space Co. |
Lockheed Missiles
and Space Co. |
| Launch vehicle: |
Space Shuttle |
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| APERTURE DOOR |
Shields the telescope
mirror from sunlight. |
| LIGHT SHIELD |
Prevents stray
light from entering the telescope. |
| FORWARD SHELL |
Encloses the telescope. |
| EQUIPMENT SECTION |
Contains electronic
equipment to operate the spacecraft. |
| AFT SHROUD |
Houses scientific
instruments that analyze light gathered by the telescope. |
| SOLAR ARRAYS |
Provide electrical
power for telescope operations. |
| HIGH-GAIN ANTENNAS |
For receiving
operating commands and transmitting data. |
| MAGNETIC TORQUERS
(4) |
Use the Earth's
magnetic field to help orient the spacecraft. |
| STAR TRACKERS |
Lock onto bright
stars to help point the telescope. |
| HAND RAILS |
Crew aids for
use during servicing missions. |
| TRUNNIONS
(2) |
Latch
the telescope into the payload bay of the Space Shuttle. |
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| The
National Air and Space Museum gratefully acknowledges the generosity
of the Lockheed Missiles and Space Company for donating this artifact
and supporting its initial restoration. The test vehicle was refurbished
for this exhibit by Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space, Lockheed
Martin Technical Operations, Jackson and Tull, NSI Technology
Services, Swales & Associates, Hughes Danbury Optical Systems,
and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. |
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