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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Astrophysics Science Division | Sciences and Exploration

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THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE
OVERVIEW HUBBLE NEWS OPERATIONS TECHNOLOGY SERVICING MISSIONS HUBBLE MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTS

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ABOUT NASA
TRACKING HUBBLE
HUBBLE VITALSTATS
HUBBLE CONTROL-CENTER
HUBBLE CAPTURE IMAGE
HUBBLE CONTROL-CENTER
CONTROL CENTER
'Hubble's flight controllers work in the Space Telescope Operations Control Center (STOCC) at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. From the STOCC, these highly experienced engineers and technicians 'drive' the telescope 24 hours a day, seven days a week..

Hubble has four flight control teams, each consisting of three operators backed by dozens of engineers and scientists. The teams work in seamless shifts to keep the telescope healthy, productive and running smoothly. Using Hubble's Control Center System (CCS), they send more than 100,000 instructions to Hubble each week.

Track Hubble's Path in Orbit.

The STOCC is "Hubble Mission Control"—the focal point of all Hubble Space Telescope operations. Controllers carry out routine operations in one section, while another section supports preparations for servicing missions, including testing and simulations. In an adjacent section, engineers perform in-depth subsystem analysis, conduct simulated subsystem tests, integrate new databases and validate new ground software and updates to flight software.

During Hubble Servicing

During an on-orbit servicing mission, Hubble Mission Control becomes a much busier place. Extra teams of engineers monitor Hubble's vital signs as the astronauts install new instruments and make other improvements.

Like the astronauts, Hubble's controllers train extensively for their critical mission roles. Shortly after a servicing mission shuttle launch, this team prepares Hubble for the on-orbit service call. They begin by transitioning the telescope from normal science operations to a "ready for servicing" condition. Controllers command Hubble to its capture attitude and configure it for rendezvous with the Space Shuttle. To prepare for capture and berthing, they command Hubble to close its aperture door and stow its high gain antennas.

After the new equipment is installed, Hubble's ground controllers run tests on the newly installed items. These tests are done immediately after installation, with the crew positioned at a safe location, to determine whether more astronaut activity is required. While the crew sleeps, the ground team performs more detailed functional checkouts of the new equipment.

After all the servicing tasks are complete, Hubble and the Space Shuttle are configured for battery charging. The Shuttle crew transfers the Telescope to internal power, disconnects the power feed and uses the robotic arm to position Hubble for deployment. The telescope's controllers command Hubble to deploy its high gain antennas and open its aperture door. They reactivate and check out all equipment that was powered off for servicing. Hubble is then released. The ground team begins the telescope's operational re-commissioning, and normal science operations resume.