Atlantis Links Up To Hubble For Repairs

By Michael Horton •  Updated: 05/15/09 •  1 min read

Space Shuttle Atlantis has finally caught up with the Hubble Space Telescope after following it for several hours. The “link up” between the Space Shuttle and Hubble was a very delicate one as the two were flying through space at 17,200 MPH, 300 miles above the Earth’s surface.

The robotic arm of the shuttle grappled the telescope at 1:14 PM EDT today. The telescope will be latched to a high-tech, lazy Susan device known as the Flight Support System for the duration of the servicing work.

While the shuttle has the telescope in its ‘hands’ the STS-125 crew will perform five separate spacewalks to repair, restore, and renew the Hubble Space Telescope. Their first spacewalk will take place tomorrow live on NASA TV.

If all of the repairs are successful, the Hubble Telescope should remain operational without issues until at least 2014.

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