Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
The first servicing mission to Hubble

The first servicing mission to Hubble

The Hindu
Saturday, December 9, 2023 6:53 PM GMT

On December 10, 1993, the Hubble Space Telescope was released back into orbit following its first servicing mission. Thirty years on, Hubble still remains in operation as it continues to explore the universe. A.S.Ganesh tells you more about the first mission to service this famous space telescope…

A super successful telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope has been in space since 1990. Stationed in orbit above the Earth, this telescope has sent hundreds of thousands of images in its over three decades of operation.

As Hubble is in orbit above the Earth, it allows for mesmerising views of the universe that have enhanced our overall understanding. This is because its vantage point enables it to escape the blurring and absorbing effects of the atmosphere.

Just after deployment in 1990, however, NASA’s scientists found out that the observatory’s primary mirror had a flaw. This impacted the quality of the first images that the telescope took, making them look fuzzy. The fact that Hubble was designed to enable astronauts to perform repairs while in orbit was the silver lining.

It is this feature – designed to be visited in space – along with the vision of those that conceived the mission that has led to its outstanding longevity. The planned visits not only provided an opportunity to repair and replace equipment, but also a chance to update the technology using new instruments. The first of such planned repair missions – Servicing Mission 1 (SM1) – took place in December 1993.

On December 2, 1993, the Space Shuttle Endeavour was launched from Florida. The seven astronauts on board were specially trained to rendezvous with the Hubble and perform repair on it while in orbit for the first time. Just a couple of days later, Endeavour’s robotic arm was used by mission specialist Claude Nicollier to capture Hubble and secure it gently to the shuttle’s cargo bay.

From that point onwards, five spacewalks were performed – one on each day from December 4-8. During the first spacewalk, astronauts Story Musgrave and Jeff Hoffman replaced some of Hubble’s gyroscopes and electrical control units for the gyros. In the second spacewalk performed by Tom Akers and Kathy Thornton, they replaced Hubble’s solar arrays with those that were better equipped at handling temperature changes.

Musgrave and Hoffman were in action during the third spacewalk again, this time replacing Hubble’s primary camera with a more advanced version. This included corrective mirrors that helped set right the telescope’s blurry vision. Akers and Thornton were at it again during the fourth spacewalk and they installed Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR) – a telephone booth-sized device to help focus Hubble’s blurred vision for three instruments on board.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Andhra Pradesh will become a strategic node in ‘India-UAE economic corridor’, says UAE Minister Abdulla Al Marri

UAE Minister highlights trust and growth in UAE-India relations, emphasizing potential for $100 billion trade by 2030.

‘Charging’ devotees for rituals at replica of Ayodhya temple in Visakhapatnam opposed

Hindu groups object to charges for Sree Seetha Rama Kalyanam event at replica Ayodhya Ram Mandir. Protest planned.

Food delivery executive arrested for filming women on Bengaluru roads

According to the police, the accused has an Instagram account. He was recording videos of women walking on the streets and posting them with the tagline ‘Bengaluru night life’.

Telangana factory blast: Disbursed ₹10 lakh each to families of 15 dead, says Sigachi 

Sigachi Industries disburses Rs 10 lakh to 15 families of deceased who lost life in the fire accident on June 30. The rest will be disbursed in phased wise manner, with detailed payment schedule forthcoming.

Devotees gather on Cauvery River bank in Erode for ‘Aadi Amavasya’ rituals

Devotees gather on Cauvery River bank in Erode for ‘Aadi Amavasya’ rituals

Work begins to tap resources from Thervoy Kandigai- Kannankottai reservoir for Chennai water supply

Chennai Metrowater developing infrastructure to boost water supply from Thervoy Kandigai reservoir to Red Hills treatment plant.

Dozens of Sri Lankan Tamils seek Indian citizenship 

Sri Lankan Tamils in India apply for citizenship after decades in camps, with support from Tamil Nadu government.

Bihar police lathi charge on protesting Jan Suraaj workers in Patna, many get injured 

Jan Suraaj party workers lathi charged by police during protest against government corruption, demanding land rights and employment funds.

Homecoming of a hero: CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan’s last journey draws thousands

Thousands pay respects as V.S. Achuthanandan's mortal remains reach his home in Alappuzha, Kerala, for public viewing and funeral.

Two Nigerian nationals held

Two Nigerian nationals held

Consider watermelon cultivators’ plea for compensation, Madras High Court directs T.N. govt

Madras High Court directs Tamil Nadu government to consider compensation for farmers affected by watermelon scare within 8 weeks.

Stokes — raw, real and relentless Premium

Stokes — raw, real and relentless

Bengaluru rowdy sheeter murder case: MLA Byrathi Basavaraj appears again before police

BJP MLA Byrathi Basavaraj questioned in Shivaprakash murder case, reiterates innocence, as police continue investigations.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
ED raids 'fake' call centres duping foreigners on pretext of offering tech solutions in Chandigarh

Enforcement Directorate raids call centres in Chandigarh cheating foreigners, laundering funds worth crores, operating in clandestine manner.

Inability to solve connectivity problem between rest of Karnataka and the ‘West of Karnataka’ for decades reflects poorly on State, says NMPA Chairman

Mangaluru-Bengaluru National Highway 75, and Mani (Mangaluru) - Mysuru NH 275 have been in various stages of development for the past many years. These highways often are closed during heavy rains. The Mangaluru-Hassan rail connectivity too gets disturbed during heavy rains. In such a situation, air fares between Mangaluru and Bengaluru shoot up, going up to ₹10,000 per person.

100% proof of ECI allowing cheating, will not allow poll body to get away with it: Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi accuses Election Commission of allowing cheating in Karnataka, vows to expose and hold them accountable.

NDPS cases surge in Kerala’s Ernakulam: Over 2,800 registered by excise and police in first seven months of 2025

Ernakulam excise division in Kerala registers 866 NDPS cases, seizes drugs, and arrests accused, with rising trend in synthetic drugs.

How one woman is preserving the culinary heritage of Uttar Andhra

Discover the diverse and flavourful Telugu cuisine of Uttar Andhra through Sowjanya Narsipuram's culinary journey and traditional recipes.

PMK founder Ramadoss seeks ban on Anbumani’s upcoming padayatra

PMK founder Ramadoss seeks ban on Anbumani’s upcoming padayatra

Bengaluru to host international space leadership meet Karman Week 2025 in October

According to the organisers of the event, Karman Week 2025 will highlight India’s leadership in public-private partnerships, climate-focused space applications, and international cooperation. The program will include direct engagements with the Indian space sector, alongside curated cultural activities and a nature-based leadership retreat.

₹3.80 crore in suspected hawala cash seized in Madurai; five held

₹3.80 crore in suspected hawala cash seized in Madurai; five held

How to bounce back from career breaks with confidence?

Learn how to confidently bounce back from career breaks with expert advice in a live webinar on July 26.

Karnataka rain: Heavy rains across coastal districts on July 24

In the 24-hour period ending at 8.30 a.m. on July 24, Dakshina Kannada district recorded an average of 55 mm rainfall. Moodbidri taluk recorded the maximum of 70.4 mm, followed by 63.8 mm in Ullal, 63.4 mm in Mangaluru, 62.8 mm in Mulki, 62.5 mm in Bantwal, 57.5 mm in Kadaba, 54.7 mm in Belthangady, 42.9 mm in Puttur and 41.5 mm in Sullia taluk.

Delhi High Court’s three new judges take oath of office

Three new judges sworn in, increasing Delhi High Court's strength to 43, with Chief Justice administering the oath.

Namperumalsamy, Aravind Eye Hospital chairman, passes away in Madurai

P. Namperumalsamy, Aravind Eye Hospital chairman emeritus, passes away at 85, leaving behind a legacy in ophthalmology.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us