Gallery: The Tools That Kept Hubble Space Telescope Running

By Nola Taylor Tillman
published

Fastener Capture Plate Image

Nola Taylor Redd/Space.com

Fastener Capture Plate

The ACS Grid Cutter Tool

Nola Taylor Redd/Space.com

The ACS Grid Cutter Tool

The STIS Card Extraction/Insertion Tool

Nola Taylor Redd/Space.com

The STIS Card Extraction/Insertion Tool (blue) grips an electronics board. Astronauts turned a knob to tighten the clamp, allowing them to insert and remove the electronics boards on STIS and ACS without cutting their space suits on sharp edges.

ACS Grid Cutter Tool with 12 Blades

Nola Taylor Redd/Space.com

Ed Rezac demonstrates the ACS Grid Cutter Tool, with twelve blades to cut through the metal grid protecting the scientific instrument.

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Nola Taylor Tillman
Nola Taylor Tillman
Contributing Writer

Nola Taylor Tillman is a contributing writer for Space.com. She loves all things space and astronomy-related, and enjoys the opportunity to learn more. She has a Bachelor’s degree in English and Astrophysics from Agnes Scott college and served as an intern at Sky & Telescope magazine. In her free time, she homeschools her four children. Follow her on Twitter at @NolaTRedd