Shuttle Releases Repaired Hubble

[Crusader]

The Shuttle Atlantis has released the repaired Hubble space telescope after extensive repairs were done during the 5 EVA's.

"Now we have to catch up on the changes in commanding to the spacecraft to ensure we can get the best out of STIS for the future," he told BBC News.

The instrument was installed on Hubble in 1997 and worked until 2004.

"We knew the source of the failure, but the STIS was not intended to be repaired in space. And getting those 110-plus screws out, without their floating around inside the Hubble, was a major challenge," Dr Gull told explained.

"(It) just shows that a combination of humans and robotics works. We hope to do it for future space missions."

Hubble will undergo many tests in the coming weeks, with observations set to resume at the end of the summer.

The hope is that the repairs and upgrades will give Hubble at least five more years of useful life.

BBC Article