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| May 18, 2009 | (Use j/k keys to navigate)  Email to a friend  Permalink |
Hubble's final servicing mission
On Monday, May 11, after months of delays and preparation, NASA's Space Shuttle Atlantis launched from the Kennedy Space Center on the final servicing mission to the orbiting Hubble Space Telescope. The seven crew members left Florida for low Earth orbit at 2:01 pm, for a scheduled 11-day mission, including 5 days of Extra-vehicular activity (EVAs) to work on the Hubble. So far the repairs appear to be going very well - the final EVA is scheduled for today, and the landing planned for May 22nd. I was fortunate enough to attend the launch at Banana Creek viewing area, and wish to extend my gratitude to all the people at NASA. (Only one of the photos below is mine) (31 photos total)
In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the crane holding space shuttle Atlantis rotates it toward a vertical position above the transfer aisle. The shuttle was lifted into High Bay 3 where it was attached to its external fuel tank and solid rocket boosters on the mobile launcher platform. (NASA/Cory Huston) #
The tools that will be used to service NASA's Hubble Space Telescope on the STS-125 mission are displayed in the NASA News Center at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At far right is the pistol grip tool. It can install and remove instruments, drive latches and open doors. A self-contained, high-torque drive, the tool features an on-board computer that permits users to tailor its performance to the mission demands. In the foreground are the card extraction and insertion tools to enable removal of electronic cards. At top center is the plastic version of the pistol grip tool used by astronauts during practice in the water tank at NASA's Johnson Space Center. At center left is the bit caddy. (NASA/Jack Pfaller) #
Two NASA T-38 jet trainer aircraft fly over the Space Shuttle Endeavour on Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. After Atlantis leaves Pad A (out of frame), Endeavour will be moved from Pad B to Pad A to support the STS-127 mission. Currently, Endeavour is being prepared as a backup vehicle for Atlantis, and it will be designated STS-400 if in the unlikely event it's needed for a rescue flight. The two pictured aircraft were piloted by Jack Nickel (in jet with tail number 62, top) and Charles Justiz (in jet with tail number 24). (NASA) #
Space shuttle Atlantis crew, from right, commander Scott D. Altman, pilot Gregory C. Johnson, mission specialist, K. Megan McArthur, mission specialist John Grunsfeld and mission specialist Andrew Feustel, mission specialist Michael Good and mission specialist Michael Massimino, leave the Operations and Checkout building enroute to board the shuttle at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Monday, May 11, 2009. (AP Photo/John Raoux) #
In the White Room on Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, STS-125 Mission Specialist Michael Good prepares to enter space shuttle Atlantis for launch. The White Room is at the end of the orbiter access arm on the fixed service structure and provides access into the shuttle. (NASA/Sandra Joseph-Kevin O'Connell) #
Solar panels on the Hubble Space Telescope make for some unique window shades in this scene photographed from the flight deck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis. Just below the "shaded" pair of windows are panels of displays and controls very instrumental in the success of the work being done on the giant observatory. (NASA) #
The NASA space shuttle Atlantis and the Hubble Space Telescope are seen in silhouette, side by side during solar transit at 12:17p.m. EDT, on May 13, 2009, from west of Vero Beach, Florida in this image released by NASA May 14. The two spaceships were at an altitude of 600 km (375 miles) and they zipped across the sun in only 0.8 seconds. (REUTERS/Thierry Legault/NASA/Handout) #
Astronaut John Grunsfeld holds onto a handrail as he performs work on the Hubble Space Telescope on May 14, 2009. Grunsfeld, a spacewalk veteran with a long relationship with the telescope, will participate in two of the remaining four sessions of extravehicular activity later in the mission. (NASA) #
Astronaut Andrew Feustel, STS-125 mission specialist, positioned on a foot restraint on the end of Atlantis' remote manipulator system (RMS), participates in the mission's third session of extravehicular activity (EVA) as work continues to refurbish and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope. (NASA) #
More links and information
Preparing to rescue Hubble Big Picture, 9/01/08
STS-125 - Wikipedia entry
This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.
Gorgeous photos - Something to be so proud of - a job well done
God Bless America
WOOOW I WISH I WAS THEIR! ITS NO NEED TO PAY ME EITHER... I CAN JUST BE THEIR TO WASH DISHES OR WHAT EVERY I CAN HELP WITH!
Beautiful pictures and a great accomplishment.
What a great plesure to get to view these awesome pictures.
These pics almost blow my mind! I have wondered what it was like being on the space shuttle. These close-ups aree amazing.
Also, God's blessings upon Adrian Balboa for his reference on June 11 to the Bible passage about what magnificent treasures we will someday see in heaven. I think I would be able to experience the nearness to God bya being on the space shuttle. I envy the astronauts for their experience.
Very nice site!
Most enjoyable!
Thanks for downloading this for all of us to see.
Give Glory to God in the Highest!
I would much rather see this space program go on despite political BS.For the US to share their abilities with other countrys and work together .Somewhere out there is beauty of life everlasting.Thanks NASA.
Pictures like these allow those of us not fortunate enough to work in such a program the chance to see just how amazing a job everyone has done.
For those connected in some way to this program ( GREAT JOB ).
Too bad some of the comments have to include insults on both sides of the God issue.
Perhaps the evolution of the universe and man's own evolution are somehow connected? Was it a plan or circumstance ?
Maybe in a million years we will know. I for one have excepted that I will not be around to know.
These are absolutely awesome! What a sight.
As an 85 year old, I have seen a world of many wondrous things both in growing up and three wars. To think that I watched "Buck Rogers in the 25th century" and fantasize about space travel, and here it is. Thank God who created us, and thank everyone who made it happen. Especially the brave souls who climb into the vehicles time and againDaniel Marvain
Absolutely fantastic photos.
Money better spent on our space explorations,
than all the government giveaway projects and
all the political pork barrels.
Growing up with the Space program in the 60's, I NEVER tire of this amazing stuff
Fantastiche!!
Photo nr. 7 is the best.
Amazing!!
God created man and he has made it possible for man to travel the earth and space with knowledge that is greater than us............ always acknowlege him first.....for we can do all things through Christ that give us strenght... what a beautiful thing when we do...that is amazing.............
A world so beautiful. These pictures brought tears to my eyes. Magnificent!
Thanks to all who made this and other missions possilbe and thank
God for our beautiful world.
How great it is to see our tax dollars being used to advance our understanding of the universe. Compared to the billions spent on entitlement programs, this reaffirmation that there is a supreme being guiding this universe in all its precision is so reassuring. Seeing these views seems to counteract all of the efforts of the ACLU to deny the existence of God. Thank you.
These pic. are soo cool. This program cost lots of money and will someday be gone. I would hope the goverment finally sees the light and keeps this and stops wasting money on mexicans, sending my tax dollars to every country who wont even try to make it on their own.
Having been part of the US Navy recoverey force during the GEMINI series in the 60's (USS WASP) . I would say we have come a long way Baby !
Those who think Space program is a waste of $$$ Better check out our CONGRESS and SENATE ! That's were the REAL WASTE , FRAUD and INFIDELS are Located. ABOLISH THEM and we will have a ton of $$$$ for those less fortunate.
This is amazing!!! I wish I were there......... One day I will definitely feel the dream what I am seeing with open eyes today!
Anshuman
Happy anniversary of the Apollo first moon landing! The pictures of the Shuttle mission to the Hubble Space telescope are awsome as are the pictures taken by Hubble. It has had its problems but has provided spectacular pictures of the universe at distances measured in millions and billions of light years. Imagine a Hubble ll, if it were possible in these trying times. I am proud to have worked on both the Apollo Command Module and the Space Shuttle hardware. I am sorry that the last few moon landing were cancelled and 2 1/2 or 3 years after the first landing, most of the people who worked on the project were laid off. After 40 years humans have not gone past the escape velocity of Earth again.
to all non-belivers, believe. to all who believe you're right but with out people to worship them, there would be no god(s). there is a fine line in all that we do. let us not worry about the economy. it will fix itself. let us put the right people in charge not because of what party they are in because of what principals they have. do not let these corrupt politicians stay in office. get rid of them and pick somebody with morals ethics and the compassion we all have to do the right thing. without these our beloved country will fall. (just ask the romans) This is our country not just thiers. this is not the place to be talking about this so enjoy the NASA and all thatthey do for us as a species
Seeing this pictures just makes you feel all humble inside, they are beautiful ones, and i want to thank everyone that has work on this, for with out them we wouldn't have those images. I showed them to my children and it brings tears to my eyes to see their little faces full of excitement and in aww, thank you NASA and all the hard workers in there, the austronauts for giving us a glimpse of the majestic beauty that outer space is, for this is the only way we will ever see it, Thank you.
I'm with General Yeager on this one. Phenomenal accomplishment. Magnificent individuals performing critical tasks in unbelievable conditions. Our "politicians" should take note and start doing the "right thing" the selfless & good thing. Too bad we didn't stuff cheney,rove,rumsfeld,ashcroft,feith,perle,gonzalez,rice and that other guy (shrub?) into the "hold" and dump them w/the "waste" into outer-space. The world would be a cleaner place to live.
thank God the mission was a success I agree with Budd Aldron that we should endeaver to get to Mars There is possibility there rather than working for moon stations Wish I were younger so that I could share future trips But the crew and workers for space deserve prayers and thanks and they have mine Have followed the USAs work for 40 years and am secure in the knowledge that we have learned from our mistakes posted by Ria Di Maria
Where do we rank in education offered to the comman man? Education is empowering. Without that nobody could carry out any the countless tasks needed to achieve this. We as a nation are not paying enough into education. PLEASE REALIZE WE NEED EDUCATION AND MORE EDUCATION.
Thanks to Dan who sent me the photos. I still marvel at what is accomplished by NASA and now all the other countrys that are involved in working in space. In 1965 my husband worked for Aerojet in Sacramento on the solid rocket fuel program. They sent us to Homestead, FL for almost a year while testing was going on. I got to see some of the tests and altho it was very exciting and interesting I really had no idea of what was to come in the space program. Of course, solid fuel testing was dropped and they finally went with liquid. It does not seem so long ago to me, and I'm now 66, that most of the space program was still an underdeveloped dream. I think it is wonderful but I am a bit saddened by the fact that this was the "final" mission to Hubble.
I enjoyed the photos of the Hubble and photos of the space ship. GREAT WORK....
You made me proud to be an American and proud of all of you who made all this happen.
Thank You,
Ron
You just can't get any closer to God and be alive.
Proud to be an American. Love the progress this program is doing for all American's. The inventions that this programs makes for all of us to use in our everyday life is tremendous.
The pictures are real cool and proud that we made our effort in space and will continue to do so.
This is utterly amazing that one can dock against a tiny object moving in orbit without numbing impact. And skeptics need to be reminded that all the money spent in this sort of endeavor remains here on earth in the form of jobs for all who build, sustain and operate these magnificent systems. The dollars are not wasted into empty space as some critics tend to believe.
I am Glad we have Billions to spend on a space program, in the worse economy this country has seen in years. I cant afford health coverage and may loose my business soon. But I will know about a ever so important ice formation on Mars.
Hero's on the beaches of Normandy, Hero"s in space, do not forget that they lay their lives if it goes wrong, to achieve a mission.
65 years back to free Europe, and now to work and explore space.
A nobel cause.
As the german Otto Lillienthal said, his last words after he crashed with his glider a long time ago were ; opfer muss sein. or translated; If there has to be reached a goal, sometimes it is neccessary to give the highest offer for others so they can stand on the shoulders of giants to go on.
I know no superlarives suficant to express my appreciation for the astranauts.
The pictures are absolutely amazing!
The beauty and wonder God has created for us to explore is beyond measure. He gave us great minds to soar above our earthly boundaries and discover that we are truly just a tiny dot is HIS universe, but yet he loves and cares for us who believe. I would like to say a special THANK YOU to the true heroes, our astronauts, who put service above self for the betterment of mankind. Thank you for letting us see God's world though your eyes! There are no words great enough to describe the beauty of these photos. Thanks and May God Bless us all.
WOW These pictures are outstanding. Thank you.
Outstanding pictures, thanks to NASA for sharing
IT WAS LIKE BEING THERE!!! HOW AMAZING!!!!
wow
If man was not meant to explore we would still be sitting in a cave somewhere. Congratulations to all concerned at all levels from a man in Bullsbrook, Western Australia
Absolutely beyond words. Just Amazing, breathtaking. Thanky you to all who have
made this and all other space programs possible. Thank you
It must be so peaceful looking at the earth from up so high but I know that it can never compare to the peace that the God of heaven and my Savior gives to me. =]
I work where we build the worlds best satalites as well as the best planes. It is so breath taking to see what is out there and to know that because of the men and women behind all the work that goes on at NASA and other places that it will only get better for all man kind.I am so proud to be an American even in these hard times and thankful to be here to see it all.
Wonderful, this is what Progress is all about , Nice to see CANADA get a mention too !!!!!!! How many times has that Arm Acted Flawlessly ? , And Its Crew !
We are Proud of you Also , Keep it up in your own quiet way !
We suloud NOT let the Hubble fade into oblivion! This is one of the best, if not the best instruments that NASA has put into space. The photos that have been returned from her, have been priceless. Write to your senators & representatives and ask them not to scrap this wonderful instrument. Thank you...
Wonderful photos, but why all these tedious, bigoted "God bless America/Canada" comments? Let me redress the balance: God bless (a) USSR, for starting the space race (b) Germany, for developing rocketry (c) France, for the gyroscope, altimeter and photography (d) Iran/Iraq for inventing cameras (e) England, for inventing(!) gravity (f) Italy, for telescopes (g) China, for actually being first with lots the preceding and much else besides. All very tongue -in-cheek I admit. My point is, this is about an achievement in science and engineering by mankind. So, "God bless Earth" if you must, but a little less of the flag-waving, please.
God created the heavens and the earth. Then he gave men and women curious minds to learn about those things around them. The citizens of this earth are collectively exploring the possibilities that await them, here on our own planet and those in outer space. Explore on great adventurers, bring us thrilling new solutions and expand our knowledge for the betterment of all.
Beautiful photo's. This program is worth every penny spent. The information we gain from these explorations is priceless. Don't stop now.
What is all this going to profit the average American citizens ?? Could all this money be better used for the slumping economy we are now in ?? I don't think God meant for us to be on another planet. If He had, we would be there already..
Fabulous photographs
all you people who say god bless america and I'm proud to be american have really got something wrong with you think of all the money we are wasting great pics but what about health insurance for everybody which is what they could do if it weren't for this space program you should be ashamed of yourselves calling yourself proud land of the free your not free might want to take a look around maybe read some books that give you a real understanding of how this country works.
We have visited many NASA locations many times over the years.
THe last time was at the new Air & Space Museum in D.C. area with our grandson's. We hope by taking them to see such achevements they will be inspired to do great things someday.
We happen to be in Houston one day in 1982 when we heard a real loud sound - we looked up & there was 747 with the space shuttle on its back buzzingHouston NASA Center to say "thank you" for all the help to make the trip a sucess wow!!
Another time we were priviaged to be VIP's at a nightime launch in Florida. What that means we traveled out to the launch breifing area on a VIP bus with some of the teams members family & other VIP's.
W e first went to astrnonts breifing area to be breifed on the launch that was about to happen. Then we were taken out to the closest allowed area for VIP's to watch the night launch. We happen to have one of the contractors seated next to us & he explained how every launch had a fourty eight countdown - where every contractor had to sign off on their part of the equiement process - We remember the rockets starting & the ground shaking for what seemed forever & then all of a sudden the spaceship lifting off & going into the sky - Wow-Wow-Wow- this was one in a lifetime experiances.
What NASA & others have done to make this possible is increaduable. Maybe someday one of them will work hard to acheive something great - like cure the commen cold, cure cancer or be a great leader if we are not bankrupt by then.
I am awed by what our space folk have done and what they have shown us about our universe and ourselves. I pray that we all are humbled by what we learn and find ways to put all that learning to uses that benefit mankind.
Truly incredible pictures! Makes one proud to be an American.
THIS IS EXELENT,I LOVE THE PHOTOS
Breathless and amazed. What a privilege it is to be an American I can think of several ways our government is waisting our money besides the Space program. Thanks for the opportunity of seeing these pictures and giving my oppinion. God bless the USA....
These are thrilling! It's wonderful that there are cameras to take pictures of these events, and computers and technology to allow people all over the world to look at them on the Internet....it's all good! I'm vowing to not let anything or anyone take the goody away from all of it!
I salute the brave men and women who carry out these breathtaking missions and tasks. They are indeed the 'Right Stuff'. Well done America.
Not one dollar goes into space, it feeds families, fuels industry, give jobs to alot of people. As a result of those billions spent on the spece program thousands of people are prospering. As already stated, advances in medicine, and all the other sciences. Have advanced all of man kind.
You can stand there and say that the space program should not be funded, and shut down. Wow you are a real thinker. If you were running things. We all be on the dole. Relient on han d outs from the government. And I believe that god lives
and Jesus is my savior
O
Excellent photography in these pics. I SALUTE the brave men and women who carry out these missions. My hat is off to you all. May God the Father hold each and ec=veryone of you in the palm of his protective hands.
i was so excited when they repaired the hubble and waiting very patiently to see what photos it will produce because of the work they performed and the new wide cameras etc.its bee since May and i see nothing,what a disappointment it is for me,iM 73 YRS OLD,,WE older citizens arenT GOING TO SEE THEbest of it all 10 yrs or more down the road,when I pass on,ill probably be floating on by it ,it wont matter then. whats up with new photos we heard its surpose to be taking? thank you for letting me comment.
AS A 56 YR OLD MAN I HAVE BEEN WATCHING THIS ALL MY LIFE AI'M A CRANE OP. HAVE WORKED ALL OVER THE WORLD I KEEP WAIT FOR A CALL AS OF RIGHT NOW I'M NOT WORKING SO I CAN GO ON THE NEXT ONE JUST GIVE ME A CALL 214-554 2750 LIVE IN TEX SO WONT TAKE ME LONG TO GET THERE YA'LL HAVE A GOOD DAY; I THINK YA'LL WOULD ENJOY MY CO.I TELL A GOOD STORY AN HAVE A FEW,
thank you! I really liked this! Its amazing to find such a good comunity!
The best of America!!
I am saving this for my grand children until they reach the age when they will be able to appreciate the enormity of the mission.
GOD bless the U.S. of AMERICA Proud to be one
These photos are absolutely gorgeous!!! Thank you NASA and all who have contributed to the U.S. space program +++++++!!!
From a retired Atlas D (SM-65D) ICBM Ground Guidance Officer.
Note that the Atlas D was retired 1 July 1964...
I think the hubbel project is one of the most important ones that we ever started and it will be a shame if it is not kept up. The world population is growing at an amasing rate if we don't figure out what to do about it space is our only hope.
Stupendous, awe inspiring, Praise the Creator of our Universe, and for
allowing this to take place. Thank the Almighty God and his Son Jesus
Christ, for their watch care. What a wonderful time to be alive!!
if all these programmes are to promote world peace and not war with other nations, i am 100% for it! god bless all the adventurous people and help them to go further in their discoveries.
To all the boobs crying that the space program is a waste. I wonder how many said that when we were exploring the western United Staes.
We are slowly breeding our way away from the table. Where would you guys propose that we put folks when the planet is no longer able to sustain human existance.
If you are the Darla I hope you are, please e-mail me imidiately !!! :-)
Svend Egenfeldt
Response to Richard (1077): NASA's mission is to develop new technology and transfer to US industry in order to provide effective and affordable food, housing, medicine, and education. Breakthroughs in these areas come from pushing the limits of our current systems as one would have to in the human spaceflight environment. You don't get breakthroughs with new medicine's, building materials, microelectronics or learning systems sitting at home on the couch incrementally improving what you already are comfortable with. This is the kind of action that keeps the United States great, not giving away bailouts.
Really it's incredible!!!!!!!!What a spectalual view of the space and the hubble refurbishing mission!!Hates off to the STS-125 mission team.
woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooow thats incredible now i need do it in spanish jajajajajajjajajajajajajajajajajajajaja
I had the rare privilege to perform engineering exploration on the transporter as it was loaded. We were looking for spurious noise in the communications area. That noise was going to cancel the first launch. One of the design engineers happened to mention to me that the platform would have been faster if his budget wasn't cut back and the had to use "second hand" St. Louis TROLLEY motors. Figure out the rest of the story. The trolley motors were causing the spurious noise.......After that who cared..the motors weren't going into orbit. Robert Britton, PhD a proud American! God Bless America !!!!!
Awe inspiring!
Breathtaking pictures. All of the troubles, pains, and pleasures that are encapsulated within the realm of Earth are abandoned once you enter space. Truly an amazing sensation to be peering down at it all. To think we are all living on a tiny part of the Universe suspended, with egos when in actuality our wars and petty squabbles mean nothing. I have found the meaning of life without being able to leave this planet physically. It is simply to be happy.
God bless Bhutan.
WOW
How our government can even think of discontinuing space exploration while tossing trillions of dollars around like popcorn on foolish and unsuccessful enterprises is one of the great mysteries of life. I am so grateful to the men and women whose dedication and thought and research have resulted in magnificent accomplishments like this.
Congratulations!
I worked from 1961 to 1995 at or for NASAs' Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville Alabama. During this time I became a Registered Professional Engineer during the launch of the Saturn V that put the first men on the moon.
I still remember a story where Dr. Von Braun quoted an older adult Lady as saying "Why are we spending all this money going into outer space. We should just sit here on Earth and watch television, just as the good Lord intended." My last job was as a consultant to the UAB Medical Center where an experiment on the Shuttle was being developed to grow crystals in microgravity to develop medicines for AIDS, dibetes, cancer and other diseases. President Eisenhower started NASA as a peaceful way to advance technology rather than only during Wartime. The results have been fantastic. These pictures prove the point.
WOW just saw some of the new pictures that the new hubble sent back and the word is WOW
It sure makes me happy to be an AMERICAN.
In ten days (on October 1, 2009) I will be 80 years old. At the present time I live in Lamar, Arkansas. From January 1968 to November 1984, I worked at NASA Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, Texas. I think that the most important thing that I did while I worked there was that I helped put the first man, Neil Armstrong, on the moon. I was a Procurement Officer and I ordered parts and equipment for the experiments and projects. It was a great place to work, and great people to work with. We completed some exciting projects.
I'm glad I can live at a time when these opportunities present themselves for us to learn from. The beauty of being a human being is the ability to create, inspire, and adapt. Be it the creation of the bible to the inspiration we get from Einstein or Sagan, and most certainly our ability to adapt to other worlds. Because while everyone here is fighting over why we are here, NASA and the rest of us will be moving on for the survival of our species. Survival of the fittest, and I see a lot of believers getting left behind. Oh well more room for us! Thanks NASA for absolutely everything you've given us, I have enough appreciation to outweigh anybody's "waste of money" skewed perspective, so keep it up!
How amazing What God & Man also Woman Can do Wonderful job well done Beautifull Picture's How I would of liked to see it !
An excellent example of combined American and Canadian ingenuity ! Not so much the fact that so much worthwhile is accomplished but that it is done in a manner that displays to all countries of the world just what God Bless America is all about .Kenny A Canada
wow!!amazing!i wish someday i could be an astronaut too!!
this site is awesome i needed some for my report
This is absolutely awesome. This is what the news media needs to capitalize on and show to the general public. We need to generate as much interest in the space program as possible. Never mind mans inhumanity to man. Show us positive photos such as these. God bless the men and women who undertake these missions, along with all the support personnel that make it happen. God Bless America.
Sweet
This was absolutely amazing! I think everyone needs to see positive news instead of all the horrible things that we see everyday. The Earth is absolutely beautiful from outer space. I think everyone should see this and realize that no matter what race, creed, or color we are....from up there...we are all one! Humans.
To see the stunning images provided by the refurbished Hubble go to this URL:
http://hubblesite.org/newscenter/archive/releases/2009/25/video/a/
I highly recommend the videos at the bottom (with the cartoons of constellations). You zoom through the sky and gain some perspective on how small an area was observed to create the image.
Breathtaking!
Astounding , pictures with a thousand words.
Amazing job! thanks NASA
Es fantástico el sueño de la humanidad, ojala el proyecto siga adelante
felicitaciones