Hubble Solar Arrays
02/01/2002
Cape Canaveral, Florida - The Hubble Space Telescope, first launched into space in April, 1990, received it's third new set of "wings" during the Space Shuttle Mission #109 (Hubble Servicing Mission), launched on March 1, 2002.
The Solar Arrays, built by AASC, had recently undergone Thermal-Vac testing assuring their readiness for installation on Hubble. Pictured above (left) is one of the "wings" which consists of four "Iridium-style" solar array substrate panels. Also pictured (right) is one of the "wings" shortly after installation on the Telescope in space. There is another of these "wings" on the other side of the telescope, together producing 30% more power than the first two pairs installed on the telescope. This added power will allow Hubble to utilize all of it's exploration instruments simultaneously if the need should arise. Unlike the flexible predecessors, this set is rigid which makes them less susceptible to the damage and extreme temperature variations of Hubble's orbit.