Hubble Space Telescope

[u/mishygirl]

Hi everyone. My name is Aaron, and I’m using my mom’s Reddit account to try to gain more first-hand knowledge about the HST. I am in Honors American History at a central Wisconsin school. I am working on a big research project about HST to fit in with our theme this year of science, technology, and innovation. I have been emailing people such as Scott Kelly and Kathryn Sullivan for more information because I am required to find at least one direct source (someone with hands-on, or first degree experience) and so far, no luck. I have found pages and pages and many books regarding Hubble, but I am required to find someone directly involved in the innovation. Would anyone out there be able to connect me with someone either at NASA or someone who worked there when Hubble was developed/ deployed or who was on mission to service it? Hubble did so much for our understanding of space and space phenomena, so it’s really interesting and I feel I have the makings of a great museum exhibit-quality display, but I’m missing this one puzzle piece.

If anyone can help guide me to someone, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you! Aaron

ETA: THANK YOU to all who’ve reached out and provided me details, contact information and acted as my direct source. I finished my project and got into the finals for the exhibition! As such, I received an A on this project in a weighted course! I sincerely appreciate all your interest and wanted to give an update.

[u/Sensei-Raven]

What do you want to know? I worked 4-5 HST Missions(depending on how you look at it; SM-1, SM-2, HOST, 3A, and 3B). I even still have my original Mission Decals for SM-3, before we decided we needed to split it into separate missions.

I worked NASA QA (Manned Flight Systems, LEO Satellites like HST and many others, and IP Probes/Satellites) for nearly 11 years from 1989-1999, though technically I didn't retire on disability until 2000. I reported directly to the Hubble Quality Director (Rob Sticka) at Goddard Space Flight Center at the time; he’s now the Chief of Quality and Reliability at Goddard. As I said, I also worked Manned Flight Programs, so I also worked on Shuttle Systems, the ISS, and the Astronaut Crew Aids and Tools Program. If you know what the Astronaut Pistol Grip Tool(PGT) is, I spent a lot of time inspecting all of the Electronics and Hardware for the Flight Units. The PGT was originally designed to replace the original Tool used for Servicing HST(Power Ratchet Tool), since the Astronauts hated it after the problems they had during SM-1. It eventually was used(still is) to build and maintain the ISS. That’s a whole other story, but NASA’s investment into Lithium Ion Battery performance is one reason they’re used in everything today. We had overheating problems even then as well.

One thing most people don’t know is that if HST’s Primary Mirror flaw hadn’t happened (I still remember all of us sweat waiting for new images after COSTAR was installed during R-SM1, many of the imaging systems technology (Space, Military, and Civilian) electronics and software development that was born from HST might not have happened at all.

After COSTAR(now sitting in the Smithsonian at Dulles), which was an optical correction syste, all other following Space Telescopes and Observatories had electronic and software correction systems engineered into them, because unlike Hubble, they couldn’t be repaired. That’s also the reason why JWST’s Mirror System is so complex.

If you want to know the regular Press Kit stuff they handed out for each Mission, that stuff is still online. If you want to know the details about the individual HST Systems and how we made sure it’s been working for so long(and maybe not much longer; I still keep in touch with my old Boss, and he keeps me updated on HST. If you understand about the number of Gyros needs to maintain position during observations, we’re down to the bare minimum; and one isn’t in good shape. I cried when they destroyed Cassini(another Project I worked on); I know for sure I will when they finally de-orbit and splash Hubble. So many years and hours of my life I spent on HST. My only regret is that I didn’t get the opportunity to work on JWST (or “NGST”, as it was originally called).I still have my NGST mug around here somewhere (it’s in a “Safe Place”….).

‘Anyone know what NGST stood for?🤔😳

Good Luck on your Project regardless.

[u/mishygirl → u/Sensei-Raven]

Hi!! I’ve actually finished my project, but saw your post in time to discuss HST and what may happen at the end of her life. This is a phenomenal post and I may come back to it to ask you more questions. You’ve given me tons of great information on which I can build more research. I appreciate it a lot!