HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE 1990 ONWARDS: Haynes Manual

The Hubble Space Telescope is an astronomical observatory situated in space beyond the cloudy effects of the earth's atmosphere. Following the first Sputnik flight into space in 1957, astronomers immediately began to study the feasibility of such an observatory, and in 1965 NASA launched its programme for the Large Space Telescope, though it was unable to get funding until 1977. The original idea was for the LST to be permanently manned, but the development of the space shuttle in the 1970s led to a modified plan of occasional maintenance visits to replace instruments and upgrade as necessary. In 1983 the project was named after the astronomer Edwin P. Hubble, the early 20th century discoverer of new galaxies who led the way in proving that the universe was expanding, giving him a scientific status equal with that of Einstein. The book includes photos, drawings and specifications of key components such as the Support Systems Module or the high-gain Antennas (pictured here bearing the short-lived and unpopular NASA "worm" logo) which are hinged on opposite sides of the Forward Shell. Photographs of the telescope's structure include cross-sections of the Equipment Section, Light Shield and Forward Shell, with shots of the end elevation and deployed positions of the antennae, while a section on the scientific instruments describes the work of spectrographs and guiding sensors. A chapter on launch and deployment follows the telescope's inaugural journey and the corrective optics that became necessary as problems arose. When the LST was finally operating as well as intended, or even better, there were four servicing missions between 1996 and 2002, with advanced computers and cameras being fitted. This fascinating book, with colour photos and diagrams on every page, provides not only a history of the telescope but also an insight into its technical wizardry. 180pp, colour photos and diagrams.