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National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight Center

Astrophysics Science Division | Sciences and Exploration

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SM4 OVERVIEW
SM4 intro
OBJECTIVES
Extravehicular activities
SHUTTLE CREW
Introduction NASA Fact Sheets

Hubble shortly after release on day 9 of SM4Launched in April 1990 and with almost 20 years of historic and trailblazing science already accomplished, the Hubble Space Telescope was reborn with Servicing Mission 4 (SM4). The fifth and final servicing of the orbiting observatory, flew aboard Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-125) from May 11 � May 24, 2009.

During SM4, two new scientific instruments were installed � the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). Two failed instruments, the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) and the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), were brought back to life by the first ever on-orbit repairs. With these efforts, Hubble has been brought to the apex of its scientific capabilities.

To prolong Hubble's life, new batteries, new gyroscopes, a new science computer, a refurbished fine guidance sensor and new insulation on three electronics bays were also installed over the 12-day mission with five spacewalks. Additionally, a device was attached to the base of the telescope to facilitate de-orbiting when the telescope is eventually decommissioned.

The SM4 improvements should insure the telescope's continued success through the year 2014 and hopefully allow for some overlap of scientific operations with Hubble's imminent successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), scheduled for launch in 2014.


+ Read a summary account of the mission

+ Read details of mission objectives

+ Read More about SM4 Space Shuttle operations

+ Read a History of the Hubble Space Telescope

 

 
+ SM4 Mission
+ Wide Field Camera 3
+ Cosmic Origins
    Spectrograph
+ Space Telescope Imaging
    Spectrograph Repair
+ Advanced Camera for
    Surveys Repair
+ Space Telescope
    Operations Control Center
+ Gyroscopes
+ Fine Guidance Sensor
+ Batteries
+ New Outer Blanket Layer
+ Soft Capture and
    Rendezvous System
+ Super Lightweight
    Interchangeable Carrier
+ Science Instrument
    Command and Data
    Handling Module
 
Link to SM4 multimedia page

SM4 Media Guide (PDF)
SM4 Images and Videos

 
related content
+ Hubble Site (STScI)