Post-launch experience of the Hubble Space Telescope: reflections upon the design and operation

Arthur J. Bradley; Gerald S. Nurre; W. Ochs; J. Ryan; Hugh Dougherty; N. Robert Bennett; Linda Abramowicz-Reed; Gregory C. Andersen; William G. Crabb

doi:10.1117/12.158798

1 November 1993 Post-launch experience of the Hubble Space Telescope

Arthur J. Bradley, Gerald S. Nurre, W. Ochs, J. Ryan, Hugh Dougherty, N. Robert Bennett, Linda Abramowicz-Reed, Gregory C. Andersen, William G. Crabb

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 1945, Space Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments II; (1993) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.158798
Event: Optical Engineering and Photonics in Aerospace Sensing, 1993, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is an orbiting astronomical observatory, designed to operate as close as possible to ground based instrumentation, given the limitation of operating in a low earth orbit. The spacecraft design had to accommodate an absolute pointing accuracy of 0.01 arc seconds, a relative pointing stability of 0.007 arc seconds rms, the capability to maneuver 90 degrees in 18 minutes, and operate autonomously in a safemode control scheme for up to 72 hours. Furthermore, the design had to provide for a flexible, stored command methodology, and real-time command capability. This paper briefly reviews the spacecraft engineering hardware and software design. A detailed critique of the on-orbit performance of the spacecraft is provided. Enhancements and work-around, which have enabled HST to continue implementation of a successful science plan, are explained.

Citation Download Citation

Arthur J. Bradley, Gerald S. Nurre, W. Ochs, J. Ryan, Hugh Dougherty, N. Robert Bennett, Linda Abramowicz-Reed, Gregory C. Andersen, and William G. Crabb "Post-launch experience of the Hubble Space Telescope", Proc. SPIE 1945, Space Astronomical Telescopes and Instruments II, (1 November 1993); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.158798

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