“building the hubble space telescope.” instituto politecnico national april, 2009 c. r. o’dell...
TRANSCRIPT
““Building the Hubble Space Building the Hubble Space Telescope.”Telescope.”
““Building the Hubble Space Building the Hubble Space Telescope.”Telescope.”
Instituto Politecnico National
April, 2009
C. R. O’Dell
Vanderbilt University
Instituto Politecnico National
April, 2009
C. R. O’Dell
Vanderbilt University
1923192319231923 Hermann Oberth publishes “Die Rakete Hermann Oberth publishes “Die Rakete
zu den Planetenraumen”zu den Planetenraumen” In this small book he elucidates most of In this small book he elucidates most of
the modern reasons for putting the modern reasons for putting telescopes in space.telescopes in space.
The ability to exploit space for The ability to exploit space for astronomy was and continues to be astronomy was and continues to be closely dependent upon transportation.closely dependent upon transportation.
Hermann Oberth publishes “Die Rakete Hermann Oberth publishes “Die Rakete zu den Planetenraumen”zu den Planetenraumen”
In this small book he elucidates most of In this small book he elucidates most of the modern reasons for putting the modern reasons for putting telescopes in space.telescopes in space.
The ability to exploit space for The ability to exploit space for astronomy was and continues to be astronomy was and continues to be closely dependent upon transportation.closely dependent upon transportation.
Space Travel in 1930.Space Travel in 1930.Space Travel in 1930.Space Travel in 1930.
19451945“Army Surplus” V-2 Rockets “Army Surplus” V-2 Rockets
come to the US.come to the US.
19451945“Army Surplus” V-2 Rockets “Army Surplus” V-2 Rockets
come to the US.come to the US.
The V2The V2 The V2The V2
1946194619461946 The first “Think-Tank”, the RAND The first “Think-Tank”, the RAND
corporation commissions a study of corporation commissions a study of potential uses of rockets.potential uses of rockets.
Lyman Spitzer, then a 32 year old Lyman Spitzer, then a 32 year old professor at Yale performs this study.professor at Yale performs this study.
In this study he proposes building space In this study he proposes building space observatories, leading up to something observatories, leading up to something very similar to today’s HST.very similar to today’s HST.
The first “Think-Tank”, the RAND The first “Think-Tank”, the RAND corporation commissions a study of corporation commissions a study of potential uses of rockets.potential uses of rockets.
Lyman Spitzer, then a 32 year old Lyman Spitzer, then a 32 year old professor at Yale performs this study.professor at Yale performs this study.
In this study he proposes building space In this study he proposes building space observatories, leading up to something observatories, leading up to something very similar to today’s HST.very similar to today’s HST.
Lyman SpitzerLyman SpitzerLyman SpitzerLyman Spitzer
1971-72 NASA begins to 1971-72 NASA begins to consider the HST.consider the HST.
1971-72 NASA begins to 1971-72 NASA begins to consider the HST.consider the HST.
One of the first things NASA did was to establish One of the first things NASA did was to establish if the project was feasible (a Phase-A Study).if the project was feasible (a Phase-A Study).
In parallel with studies by multiple contractors a In parallel with studies by multiple contractors a group of scientists was convened at NASA HQ group of scientists was convened at NASA HQ by Nancy G. Roman to provide feedback.by Nancy G. Roman to provide feedback.
At the end of this study I was nominated by At the end of this study I was nominated by Lyman Spitzer to become the Project Scientist Lyman Spitzer to become the Project Scientist (September 1972).(September 1972).
One of the first things NASA did was to establish One of the first things NASA did was to establish if the project was feasible (a Phase-A Study).if the project was feasible (a Phase-A Study).
In parallel with studies by multiple contractors a In parallel with studies by multiple contractors a group of scientists was convened at NASA HQ group of scientists was convened at NASA HQ by Nancy G. Roman to provide feedback.by Nancy G. Roman to provide feedback.
At the end of this study I was nominated by At the end of this study I was nominated by Lyman Spitzer to become the Project Scientist Lyman Spitzer to become the Project Scientist (September 1972).(September 1972).
ResolutionResolutionversus Timeversus TimeResolutionResolution
versus Timeversus Time
Originally the design was for a 3-m aperture.
Originally the design was for a 3-m aperture.
1972-3mCrossSection1972-3mCrossSection1972-3mCrossSection1972-3mCrossSection
1972-3mConfiguration1972-3mConfiguration1972-3mConfiguration1972-3mConfiguration
We had $$ problems from the We had $$ problems from the beginning.beginning.
We had $$ problems from the We had $$ problems from the beginning.beginning.
The original $300M price-tag was a The original $300M price-tag was a dictated price. dictated price.
Different configurations were considered.Different configurations were considered. Different sizes (1.8-m, 2.4-m, 3.0-m) were Different sizes (1.8-m, 2.4-m, 3.0-m) were
considered.considered. The 2.4-m configuration was chosen in The 2.4-m configuration was chosen in
June, 1975.June, 1975. ESA became a 15% partner in late 1976.ESA became a 15% partner in late 1976.
The original $300M price-tag was a The original $300M price-tag was a dictated price. dictated price.
Different configurations were considered.Different configurations were considered. Different sizes (1.8-m, 2.4-m, 3.0-m) were Different sizes (1.8-m, 2.4-m, 3.0-m) were
considered.considered. The 2.4-m configuration was chosen in The 2.4-m configuration was chosen in
June, 1975.June, 1975. ESA became a 15% partner in late 1976.ESA became a 15% partner in late 1976.
A Skeleton Sketch.A Skeleton Sketch.A Skeleton Sketch.A Skeleton Sketch.
HST CutawayHST CutawayCroppedCropped
HST CutawayHST CutawayCroppedCropped
This was the first spacecraft to be designed for maintenance.This was the first spacecraft to be designed for maintenance.
NBSNBSAxial SI ReplacementAxial SI Replacement
NBSNBSAxial SI ReplacementAxial SI Replacement
Primary Mirror.Primary Mirror.
Primary MirrorPrimary MirrorAfter Aluminizing After Aluminizing
Primary MirrorPrimary MirrorAfter Aluminizing After Aluminizing
The telescope structure.The telescope structure.The telescope structure.The telescope structure.
Focal Plane Assembly.Focal Plane Assembly.Focal Plane Assembly.Focal Plane Assembly.
WF/PC PrelaunchWF/PC PrelaunchWF/PC PrelaunchWF/PC Prelaunch
Transporting the Telescope to California.Transporting the Telescope to California.
OTA Development ProblemsOTA Development ProblemsOTA Development ProblemsOTA Development Problems
The manufacture of a light-weight, highly precise The manufacture of a light-weight, highly precise mirror was considered to be an established mirror was considered to be an established technology by the project managers.technology by the project managers.
As the primary mirror was being tested and As the primary mirror was being tested and finished, the FGS was shown to be inadequate.finished, the FGS was shown to be inadequate.
This all occurred as a new Project Manager This all occurred as a new Project Manager came on-board, whose mandate was to control came on-board, whose mandate was to control the escalating costs.the escalating costs.
The manufacture of a light-weight, highly precise The manufacture of a light-weight, highly precise mirror was considered to be an established mirror was considered to be an established technology by the project managers.technology by the project managers.
As the primary mirror was being tested and As the primary mirror was being tested and finished, the FGS was shown to be inadequate.finished, the FGS was shown to be inadequate.
This all occurred as a new Project Manager This all occurred as a new Project Manager came on-board, whose mandate was to control came on-board, whose mandate was to control the escalating costs.the escalating costs.
Spherical AberrationSpherical AberrationSpherical AberrationSpherical Aberration
This was discovered as the first images This was discovered as the first images were made.were made.
The cause was a misaligned optical device The cause was a misaligned optical device used to measure the shape of the primary used to measure the shape of the primary mirror.mirror.
This device made the mirror appear to be This device made the mirror appear to be flat when it was of the right shape.flat when it was of the right shape.
This was discovered as the first images This was discovered as the first images were made.were made.
The cause was a misaligned optical device The cause was a misaligned optical device used to measure the shape of the primary used to measure the shape of the primary mirror.mirror.
This device made the mirror appear to be This device made the mirror appear to be flat when it was of the right shape.flat when it was of the right shape.
The Reflective The Reflective Null CorrectorNull CorrectorThe Reflective The Reflective Null CorrectorNull Corrector
The Direct The Direct MistakeMistake
The Direct The Direct MistakeMistake
Contributing FactorsContributing FactorsContributing FactorsContributing Factors
The primary mirror was not considered the most The primary mirror was not considered the most demanding part of the HST.demanding part of the HST.
The method of testing had become routine.The method of testing had become routine. Management was concentrating on a redesign of Management was concentrating on a redesign of
the FGS, which WAS new.the FGS, which WAS new. The resident MSFC QA person had not been The resident MSFC QA person had not been
changed.changed. The report on the anomaly with the alignment The report on the anomaly with the alignment
was not forwarded to MSFC.was not forwarded to MSFC.
The primary mirror was not considered the most The primary mirror was not considered the most demanding part of the HST.demanding part of the HST.
The method of testing had become routine.The method of testing had become routine. Management was concentrating on a redesign of Management was concentrating on a redesign of
the FGS, which WAS new.the FGS, which WAS new. The resident MSFC QA person had not been The resident MSFC QA person had not been
changed.changed. The report on the anomaly with the alignment The report on the anomaly with the alignment
was not forwarded to MSFC.was not forwarded to MSFC.
The Assembled HST is Moved.The Assembled HST is Moved.The Assembled HST is Moved.The Assembled HST is Moved.
Schedule HistorySchedule HistorySchedule HistorySchedule History
JAW CartoonJAW CartoonJAW CartoonJAW Cartoon
LaunchLaunchLaunchLaunch
HST in OrbitHST in OrbitHST in OrbitHST in Orbit
Servicing MissionsServicing MissionsServicing MissionsServicing Missions
SM1-12/93 COSTAR, WFPC2,Solar SM1-12/93 COSTAR, WFPC2,Solar ArraysArrays
SM2-02/97 STIS,NICMOS,FGSSM2-02/97 STIS,NICMOS,FGS SM3A-12/99 FGS,Gyros,ComputerSM3A-12/99 FGS,Gyros,Computer SM3B-03/02 ACS,Solar SM3B-03/02 ACS,Solar
Arrays,CryoCoolerArrays,CryoCooler
SM1-12/93 COSTAR, WFPC2,Solar SM1-12/93 COSTAR, WFPC2,Solar ArraysArrays
SM2-02/97 STIS,NICMOS,FGSSM2-02/97 STIS,NICMOS,FGS SM3A-12/99 FGS,Gyros,ComputerSM3A-12/99 FGS,Gyros,Computer SM3B-03/02 ACS,Solar SM3B-03/02 ACS,Solar
Arrays,CryoCoolerArrays,CryoCooler
SM1SM1Axial SI ReplacementAxial SI Replacement
SM1SM1Axial SI ReplacementAxial SI Replacement
SM4-10/08 WFC3,COS,(STIS+ACS SM4-10/08 WFC3,COS,(STIS+ACS Repairs),Batteries,GyrosRepairs),Batteries,Gyros
SM4-10/08 WFC3,COS,(STIS+ACS SM4-10/08 WFC3,COS,(STIS+ACS Repairs),Batteries,GyrosRepairs),Batteries,Gyros
NBSNBSAxial SI ReplacementAxial SI Replacement
NBSNBSAxial SI ReplacementAxial SI Replacement
SM4-CrewSM4-Crew
The construction crane operator.The construction crane operator.
Scientific ProductivityScientific ProductivityScientific ProductivityScientific Productivity
OrionNebulaOrion
Nebula
Orion
Nebula
1996
Orion
Nebula
1996
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field.
The Hubble Ultra Deep Field.
Reading MaterialReading MaterialReading MaterialReading Material ““The Space Telescope” by Robert W. Smith. The Space Telescope” by Robert W. Smith.
Cambridge University Press, 1989(pre-Cambridge University Press, 1989(pre-launch) & 1993(post-launch).launch) & 1993(post-launch).
““The Orion Nebula” by C. Robert O’Dell, The Orion Nebula” by C. Robert O’Dell, Harvard University Press, 2003 (Chapter 7).Harvard University Press, 2003 (Chapter 7).
““The Universe in Mirror: The Saga of the HST The Universe in Mirror: The Saga of the HST and the Visionaries Who Built It.” by Robert and the Visionaries Who Built It.” by Robert Zimmerman, Princeton University Press, Zimmerman, Princeton University Press, 2008.2008.
““The Space Telescope” by Robert W. Smith. The Space Telescope” by Robert W. Smith. Cambridge University Press, 1989(pre-Cambridge University Press, 1989(pre-launch) & 1993(post-launch).launch) & 1993(post-launch).
““The Orion Nebula” by C. Robert O’Dell, The Orion Nebula” by C. Robert O’Dell, Harvard University Press, 2003 (Chapter 7).Harvard University Press, 2003 (Chapter 7).
““The Universe in Mirror: The Saga of the HST The Universe in Mirror: The Saga of the HST and the Visionaries Who Built It.” by Robert and the Visionaries Who Built It.” by Robert Zimmerman, Princeton University Press, Zimmerman, Princeton University Press, 2008.2008.
Don’t you just love a story with Don’t you just love a story with a happy ending?a happy ending?
Don’t you just love a story with Don’t you just love a story with a happy ending?a happy ending?
Yilen-Stop Here.Yilen-Stop Here.
ShuttleShuttleScheduleScheduleShuttleShuttle
ScheduleSchedule