The Hubble Space Telescope servicing missions: Past, present, and future operational challenges

Abstract

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is a complex spacecraft designed to conduct leading edge scientific observations over a planned fifteen year mission lifetime. It was designed for servicing by the Space Shuttle to upgrade systems, replace failed components, and boost into a higher orbit. There are many operational challenges that must be addressed in preparing for and executing a Servicing Mission (SM) which range from both technical to managerial issues. This paper will be exploring the operational challenges faced by the HST Operations and Ground System Project in supporting the First Servicing Mission (FSM) and future Servicing Missions. We give special emphasis to those areas that helped ensure mission success. These areas include training, testing, and contingency planning.