NASA shut its Hubble 20 years ago today. Know reason here!
Under Hubble's 'Servicing Mission 3B,' 20 years ago on this day, NASA shut off the Hubble telescope for the first time since its launch.
NASA in March 2022 shut off the Hubble telescope for the first time since its launch to install a new Power Control Unit under Hubble's 'Servicing Mission 3B'. Hubble's replacement PCU allows astronomers to take full advantage of extra power generated by new solar arrays. Here are the glimpses of astronauts' spacewalk during the mission-
All about the Servicing Mission 3B
The Servicing Mission 3B was actually the fourth visit to Hubble. NASA divided the original Servicing Mission 3 into two parts and conducted 3A in December of 1999 and 3B in 2002
During SM3B a new science instrument was installed: the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS). Several other activities were accomplished as well over a 12-day mission with 5 spacewalks.
(Image credit: NASA)