As Hubble Space Telescope gets fixed again, know how NASA once repaired it in orbit over Earth

December 10 marks the first servicing mission of the iconic Hubble Space Telescope deployed by NASA. Check here to know how this space telescope got its first repair in 1993.

The Hubble Space Telescope, NASA’s iconic space telescope has been providing mesmerizing images of the space for more than 3 decades now. It has been a vital asset since its launch in 1990, providing breathtaking views of the universe. According to NASA, a flaw in the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope was detected, shortly after it was deployed. Because of the flaw, the first images taken by the space telescope were fuzzy. The Hubble Space Telescope was designed to be repaired while in orbit. This led to the initiation of the first planned repair mission, Servicing Mission 1 (SM1), in December 1993. (AP)

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1/5 The Hubble Space Telescope, NASA’s iconic space telescope has been providing mesmerizing images of the space for more than 3 decades now. It has been a vital asset since its launch in 1990, providing breathtaking views of the universe. According to NASA, a flaw in the primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope was detected, shortly after it was deployed. Because of the flaw, the first images taken by the space telescope were fuzzy. The Hubble Space Telescope was designed to be repaired while in orbit. This led to the initiation of the first planned repair mission, Servicing Mission 1 (SM1), in December 1993. (AP)

The first servicing mission, known as Servicing Mission 1 (SM1), unfolded in December 1993. The Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched from Florida on December 2, carried a crew of seven astronauts specially trained to rendezvous with and repair the Hubble in orbit. Using Endeavour's robotic arm, mission specialist Claude Nicollier gently secured the telescope to the shuttle's cargo bay just days after launch. (NASA)

2/5 The first servicing mission, known as Servicing Mission 1 (SM1), unfolded in December 1993. The Space Shuttle Endeavour, launched from Florida on December 2, carried a crew of seven astronauts specially trained to rendezvous with and repair the Hubble in orbit. Using Endeavour's robotic arm, mission specialist Claude Nicollier gently secured the telescope to the shuttle's cargo bay just days after launch. (NASA)

Throughout five spacewalks from December 4-8, the astronauts performed intricate repairs and upgrades. In the initial spacewalk, Story Musgrave and Jeff Hoffman replaced Hubble's gyroscopes and electrical control units. The second spacewalk, led by Tom Akers and Kathy Thornton, involved replacing the telescope's solar arrays with more temperature-resistant versions. Musgrave and Hoffman returned for the third spacewalk, replacing Hubble's primary camera with an advanced version featuring corrective mirrors to rectify the telescope's initial blurry vision. (AP)

3/5 Throughout five spacewalks from December 4-8, the astronauts performed intricate repairs and upgrades. In the initial spacewalk, Story Musgrave and Jeff Hoffman replaced Hubble's gyroscopes and electrical control units. The second spacewalk, led by Tom Akers and Kathy Thornton, involved replacing the telescope's solar arrays with more temperature-resistant versions. Musgrave and Hoffman returned for the third spacewalk, replacing Hubble's primary camera with an advanced version featuring corrective mirrors to rectify the telescope's initial blurry vision. (AP)

During the fourth spacewalk, Akers and Thornton installed the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR), a device designed to enhance the focus of three onboard instruments. The fifth and final spacewalk, conducted by Musgrave and Hoffman, involved replacing solar array drive electronics and assisting in deploying the solar array. Additionally, they concluded work on Hubble's magnetometers. On December 10, Nicollier skillfully employed the robotic arm to release Hubble back into its orbit. It marked the successful completion of the first servicing mission and ensured the telescope's continued contribution to humanity's understanding of the cosmos. (NASA)

4/5 During the fourth spacewalk, Akers and Thornton installed the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR), a device designed to enhance the focus of three onboard instruments. The fifth and final spacewalk, conducted by Musgrave and Hoffman, involved replacing solar array drive electronics and assisting in deploying the solar array. Additionally, they concluded work on Hubble's magnetometers. On December 10, Nicollier skillfully employed the robotic arm to release Hubble back into its orbit. It marked the successful completion of the first servicing mission and ensured the telescope's continued contribution to humanity's understanding of the cosmos. (NASA)

The image Captured by the Hubble Space Telescope looks like a ghostly haze. (ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Tully)

5/5 The image Captured by the Hubble Space Telescope looks like a ghostly haze. (ESA/Hubble & NASA, R. Tully)