Hubble’s inaugural service mission evokes emotion and wields powerful impact.

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“On December 10, 1993, the Hubble’s Space Telescope re-entered orbit after its initial servicing. Now, three decades later, Hubble perseveres, delving into the universe. A.S. Ganesh elaborates on this inaugural mission’s significance. Since then, it’s been a pivotal journey. Still operational, Hubble continues its cosmic exploration. Ganesh’s insights shed light on this iconic telescope’s history.”

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“The Hubble Space Telescope, operational since 1990, captures stunning views from orbit. Over three decades, it’s beamed numerous celestial images, enriching our cosmic comprehension. Positioned above Earth, Hubble’s advantage lies in its evasion of atmospheric distortions. This unique vantage point unveils mesmerizing glimpses of the universe, fostering our deeper understanding. Its uninterrupted view enables unparalleled clarity, unmatched by ground-based observations.”

“After its 1990 launch, NASA uncovered a flaw in Hubble’s primary mirror, affecting initial image quality. Despite this setback, the telescope’s repair-friendly design proved pivotal. This feature, intended for in-space visits, contributed to its remarkable longevity. Planned servicing missions, like SM1 in December 1993, offered chances for repairs, equipment updates, and tech enhancements. Visionary mission planners ensured Hubble’s adaptability, securing its place as a lasting astronomical marvel.”

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“Florida witnessed the Space Shuttle Endeavour’s launch on December 2, 1993. A team of seven skilled astronauts embarked on a unique mission: repairing Hubble in orbit. Just days after liftoff, Claude Nicollier, a mission specialist, deftly used Endeavour’s robotic arm to secure Hubble in the shuttle’s cargo bay. This pivotal moment marked the delicate capture of the telescope, setting the stage for its critical repairs.”

“Following that, five consecutive spacewalks unfolded from December 4-8. Story Musgrave and Jeff Hoffman kicked off the tasks by swapping Hubble’s gyroscopes and control units. Tom Akers and Kathy Thornton then upgraded the telescope’s solar arrays to handle temperature fluctuations. Musgrave and Hoffman returned for the third spacewalk, upgrading Hubble’s primary camera and fixing blurry images. Akers and Thornton installed COSTAR during the fourth spacewalk, refining the telescope’s focus for three onboard instruments.”

“During the last spacewalk, Musgrave and Hoffman upgraded solar array drive electronics and aided in deploying Hubble’s solar array. They then wrapped up by tending to the telescope’s magnetometers. On December 10, Nicollier took charge again, using the robotic arm to smoothly release Hubble back into its orbit. This final task was crucial, rectifying a minor error with significant implications for the telescope’s operation.”

“In their final spacewalk, Musgrave and Hoffman upgraded solar array drive electronics and helped deploy Hubble’s solar array. They then tended to the telescope’s magnetometers. On December 10, Nicollier resumed control, using the robotic arm to smoothly release Hubble into orbit. This pivotal task corrected a minor error, yet held immense significance for the telescope’s functionality and mission success.”

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“The Space Shuttle Endeavour, carrying the seven SM1 astronauts, safely landed on December 13, 1993, marking the completion of Hubble’s first repair mission. Throughout 163 orbits around Earth, covering 4.4 million miles, the team accomplished crucial repairs. However, the highlight was the 35 hours and 28 minutes dedicated to five consecutive spacewalks. These efforts, focusing on upgrades, proved pivotal for the telescope’s enhancements and were the mission’s core achievement.”


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By Sachin Subhashis Swain

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