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Shuttle
Mission: STS-109
Orbiter:
Columbia
March 1, 2002
Did
You Know?
This
is Hubble Servicing Mission 3B.  The
Hubble Program innovated a unique pointing and control system,
which is extraordinarily stable and precise. This system achieves
a level of stability and precision that is comparable to standing
in Washington, D.C. and steadily focusing a laser beam on a dime
atop the Empire State Building in New York City, approximately
200 miles (322 Kilometers) away.
Every
day, Hubble archives 3 to 5 gigabytes of data and delivers between
10 and 15 gigabytes to astronomers all over the world.
From
the beginning, Hubble was designed to be modular and astronaut-friendly.
This design allows NASA to equip Hubble with new, state-of-the-art
scientific instruments every few years, giving the telescope exciting
new capabilities with each servicing mission. Each new instrument
place on Hubble increases its scientific power by a factor of
10 or greater. In addition, during each servicing mission, the
astronauts replace limited-life components with systems incorporating
the latest technology.
Hubble
Space Telescope in orbit.
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T-20 minutes and counting...
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Activities
escalate and the launch team's focus intensifies -- only one hour
to go before liftoff!
The
orbiter's onboard computers are transitioned to launch configuration.
This includes:
Data
processing system engineer confirmation that the onboard computers
have been transitioned to the Terminal
Countdown configuration.
Primary
Ascent Software is loaded into the orbiter's computers and Columbia's
Commander Scott Altman configures the backup Flight System software
to a matching profile.
Verification
that a dump of the orbiter's general purpose computer memory has
been completed.
A
purge of the three fuel cells is underway....
Pilot
Duane Carey is also busy during this period accomplishing the
following tasks:
Configuring
cockpit displays for launch.
Performing
the Main
Propulsion System Helium System reconfiguration. This
activity ensures that helium isolation valves necessary for
in-flight engine purges function properly and provide an emergency
source of pressure for pneumatic shutdown of the engines.
Coordinates
with Orbiter Test Conductor, Rudy Tench, to ensure proper Reaction
Control System propellant tank levels. This is required
as part of checklist activities necessary to verify the appropriate
configuration of cross-feed valves between the Orbital
Maneuvering System and the Reaction Control System propellant
tanks.
A
gaseous nitrogen purge of the Orbiter's aft skirts is completed.
This flow of inert gas ensures that no explosive or flammable
gases accumulate in the bottom of the Solid
Rocket Boosters prior to launch.
All
non-essential personnel are cleared from the launch danger area.
Final
verification is received that all emergency aircraft and contingency
support personnel are on station.
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