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Underwater Simulation
In the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL), the astronauts
train to install the NCS. The astronaut on the right is
carrying a mock Cryo-Cooler.
Just a Little Further
The astronauts position a mock NCS radiator into place
on a Hubble replica (left).
Summary
During
and after the aforementioned improvements, NCS was
continually tested. The Capillary Pump Loop (CPL)
had some problems but these were fixed.
Meanwhile the astronauts trained to install the
NCS. At Houston in the NBL (Neutral Buoyancy Lab),
zero-gravity was simulated by having the astronauts
run through their operations underwater. Mock-ups
of Hubble, and the equipment they would install
were provided. NCS would be the most complicated
installation ever made on Hubble.
The astronauts also gained experience with the actual
instruments by coming to Goddard and working with
them in the cleanroom - a low-contamination environment
where space hardware is tested and integrated.
Eventually the NCS was ready, and it was shipped
to Kennedy for Servicing Mission 3B in January of
2002.
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