NASA Astronauts Detail Final Hubble Servicing Mission

The crew of NASA's fifth and final Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission. From left to right: Megan McArthur, Michael Good, Gregory C. Johnson, Scott Altman, John Grunsfeld, Michael Massimino and Andrew Feustel.

Shuttle Astronauts Close in on Hubble Telescope

This image depicts space shuttle Atlantis capturing the Hubble Space Telescope during the STS-125 mission in May 2009.

Astronaut Saves Shea Stadium Home Plate

Astronauts Mike Massimino (right) and Mike Good, STS-125 mission specialists, with home plate from New York City's Shea Stadium during a break from their training in the JSC Neutral Buoyancy Lab. Massimino brought the plate aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis for the trip to Hubble.

Pieces Coming Together for Next Space Shuttle Launch

The external tank for space shuttle Atlantis is lowered between the solid rocket boosters for mating on the mobile launcher platform in preparations for the October 2008 launch to the Hubble Space Telescope.

NASA Closes Florida Spaceport for Tropical Storm Fay

Technicians working at NASA's Kennedy Space Center maneuver a protective cover over a Fine Guidance Sensor destined for the Hubble Space Telescope. Astronauts will install the upgraded pointing instrument during STS-125.

Stuck Pin Delays Shuttle's Trek to Launch Pad

In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, space shuttle Atlantis is moved across the I-beam toward the waiting external fuel tank and twin solid rocket boosters in high bay 3 on Aug. 23, 2008.

NASA Cleans Up Cargo for Hubble Shuttle Flight

Space shuttle Atlantis comes to a stop on the top of Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center after more than a 6-hour journey from the VAB on Sept. 4, 2008. The shuttle is due for an October 2008 launch to the Hubble Space Telescope.

Hubble Astronauts Set for Practice Countdown

The STS-125 crew members prepare to speak to the media at the Shuttle Landing Facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida after arriving in T-38 jets for Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test, or TCDT, activities. From left are, mission specialist Megan McArthur, pilot Gregory C. Johnson, mission specialist Mike Massimino, commander Scott Altman, and mission specialists Andrew Feustel, John Grunsfeld and Michael Good.

NASA Delays Shuttle Mission to Hubble

Clouds serve as a backdrop to frame space shuttle Atlantis (foreground) on Launch Pad A and Endeavour on Launch Pad B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. For the first time since July 2001, two shuttles are on the launch pads at the same time at the center.

Hubble-Saving Space Shuttle Moves to Launch Pad

Space shuttle Atlantis nears Launch Pad 39A on March 31, 2009 in preparation for the STS-125 mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Launch is set for May 12.

Hubble-Bound Astronauts Prepare

STS-125 Mission Specialist Mike Massimino is helped by a suit technician to don a harness over his launch and entry suit before entering space shuttle Atlantis for a simulated launch countdown.

Fixing Hubble: Space Mechanics Set for Last Service Call

The STS-125 crew gets ready to attach their mission logo to the entrance into space shuttle Atlantis. Clockwise from left front are: Pilot Gregory C. Johnson, mission specialists Michael Good and Megan McArthur, commander Scott Altman, and mission specialists Mike Massimino and John Grunsfeld.

Space Shuttle Cleared for Monday Launch to Hubble

Lights covering the fixed service structure on Launch Pad 39A cast their glow over space shuttle Atlantis poised for May 2009 launch toward the Hubble Space Telescope on the STS-125 mission.

Launch Today: Shuttle Atlantis to Fix Hubble Telescope

The shuttle Atlantis stands poised for a May 11, 2009 launch toward the Hubble Space Telescope on STS-125. At left in the background is shuttle Endeavour atop a second launch pad primed for a rescue mission.

Space Shuttle Launches to Save Hubble Telescope

The space shuttle Atlantis lifts off May 11 carrying seven astronauts bound for the Hubble Space Telescope. Atlantis' STS-125 mission is the last planned manned visit to the orbiting observatory.

Shuttle's Heat Shield Dings Appear to be Minor, NASA Says

This view from a camera on the external tank for shuttle Atlantis shows a piece of debris just before it appears to strike the orbiter's starboard side during its May 11, 2009 launch toward the Hubble Space Telescope. NASA believes the damage is minor.

Scientists Hail Hubble-bound Shuttle

Under a dry, hot, cloud-washed Florida sky, space shuttle Atlantis roars off Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida with its crew of seven for a rendezvous with NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

Hubble-Bound Astronauts Inspect Shuttle for Damage

The belly of the shuttle Atlantis will get an up-close look during May 12, 2009 inspections during the STS-125 mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.

Astronauts Take Time Off After Fixing Hubble

Astronauts Megan McArthur, Mike Massimino (center) and Andrew Feustel, all STS-125 mission specialists, prepare to eat a meal on the middeck of the Earth-orbiting Space Shuttle Atlantis on May 12, 2009 during while en route to the Hubble Space Telescope.

STS-125 Mission Updates: Part 2

An STS-125 crewmember onboard the space shuttle Atlantis snapped a still photo of the Hubble Space Telescope as the two spacecraft approached each other in Earth orbit prior to the capture of the giant observatory on May 13, 2009.

STS-125 Mission Updates: Part 1

An STS-125 crewmember onboard the space shuttle Atlantis snapped a still photo of the Hubble Space Telescope following grapple of the giant observatory by the shuttle's Canadian-built remote manipulator system on May 13, 2009 during NASA's last mission to the telescope.

Astronauts Grab Hubble Telescope for Tune-Up

A camera on the shuttle Atlantis shows the Hubble Space Telescope after astronauts plucked it from space on May 13, 2009 during the STS-125 mission.

Astronauts Begin Spacewalk Marathon to Fix Hubble

Atlantis astronauts capture the Hubble Space Telescope on May 13, 2009 during NASA's fifth and final servicing flight.

Astronauts to Say Goodbye to Hubble Telescope

A wide view of the Hubble Space Telescope, locked down in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis on May 13, 2009 during the STS-125 mission - NASA's last ever service call to the space observatory.

Astronauts Give Hubble Telescope New Camera Eye

STS-125 spacewalkers John Grunsfeld (left) and Andrew Feustel (on robotic arm) remove the Wide Field Planetary Camera 2 from the Hubble Space Telescope during a May 14, 2009 spacewalk.

Astronauts Have Trouble Upgrading Hubble Telescope

Astronaut Michael Good works with the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the shuttle Atlantis. Crewmate Mike Massimino appears in the bottom frame during the second spacewalk of their May 2009 STS-125 mission.

Astronauts to Try Complex Repair on Hubble's Broken Main Camera

What appears to be a number of astronauts, because of the shiny mirror-like surface of the temporarily-captured Hubble Space Telescope, is actually only two — astronauts John Grunsfeld (left) and Andew Feustel — during a May 14, 2009 spacewalk, the first of five during their STS-125 mission.

NASA Gets Out of Satellite Servicing Business

Astronaut Andrew Feustel navigates near the Hubble Space Telescope on the end of the remote manipulator system arm, controlled from inside Atlantis. Astronaut John Grunsfeld signals to his crewmate from just a few feet away during the May 15, 2009, spacewalk on STS-125.

Spacewalkers Make Tricky Repairs to Hubble Camera

Spacewalkers John Grunsfeld (bottom) and Andrew Feustel are seen after repairing Hubble's main camera and installing the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph during the third of five spacewalks on the Hubble Space Telescope during the STS-125 flight of shuttle Atlantis.

Spacewalkers Tackle Daunting Hubble Telescope Repair

While standing on the end of Atlantis' remote manipulator system arm, astronaut Michael Good, STS-125 mission specialist and USAF colonel, pays tribute to his commander and crewmates with a military-style salute. Astronaut Mike Massimino works in the background at right.

Astronauts Repair Key Hubble Device in Tough Spacewalk

Mission specialists Mike Massimino (right) and Mike Good (on arm) work outside space shuttle Atlantis during the fourth spacewalk of STS-125 on May 17, 2009.

Astronauts Give Hubble Telescope One Last Hug

Atlantis astronaut John Grunsfeld rides the shuttle arm with the Earth and Hubble in view in this image from a video still from an exterior camera during a May 18, 2009 spacewalk - the last ever at Hubble.

Hubble's Last Visit To Be Relived in 3-D

IMAX 3D camera inside space shuttle Atlantis' payload bay during the STS-125 mission.

Shuttle Astronauts to Try for Sunday Landing

An STS-125 astronaut aboard shuttle Atlantis captured this still image of the Hubble Space Telescope as the two spacecraft begin their relative separation on May 19, 2009.

Astronauts Prepare Shuttle Atlantis for Friday Landing

An STS-125 crew member aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis captured this still image of the Hubble Space Telescope as the two spacecraft continue their relative separation on May 19, 2009.

Astronauts Conserve Power for Potential Landing Delay

The STS-125 crew is in Atlantis' flight deck while speaking with reporters about their Hubble Space Telescope fixes on May 20, 2009.

Stormy Weather Delays Space Shuttle Landing

Backdropped by the blackness of space and the thin line of Earth's atmosphere, the space shuttle Atlantis' cargo bay, robotic arm, tail and orbital maneuvering system (OMS) pods are caught in this snapshot by an STS-125 astronaut on May 20, 2009 during a Hubble Space Telescope overhaul.

Shuttle Atlantis Lands Safely After Hubble Success

Space shuttle Atlantis lands at Edwards Air Force Base in California, completing the final servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope, on May 24, 2009.

Hubble Astronauts Awed by New Images

STS-125 crew members from left, Commander Scott Altman, Pilot Gregory Johnson, Mission Specialist Michael Good, Mission Specialist Megan McArthur, Mission Specialist John Grunsfeld, Mission Specialist Michael Massimino and Mission Specialist Andrew Feustel, are seen during a press conference, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2009, after astronomers declared the NASA's Hubble Space Telescope a fully rejuvenated observatory with the release Wednesday of observations from four of its six operating science instruments at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

STS-125 Patch

This STS-125 crew patch shows Hubble. The overall structure and composition of the universe is shown in blue and filled with planets, stars and galaxies. The black background is indicative of the mysteries of dark-energy and dark-matter. The red border of the patch represents the red-shifted glow of the early universe. Soaring by the telescope is the shuttle that initially deployed Hubble and has enabled astronauts to continually upgrade the telescope, significantly contributing to the expansion of human knowledge.

Photos: NASA's Last Mission to the Hubble Space Telescope

Date: 01 February 2012 Time: 10:25 AM ET
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