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'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.
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