STS-109

STS-109
NASA or National Aeronautics and Space Administration · Public domain · source
Mission name	STS-109
Crew members	Scott Altman, Duane Carey, John Grunsfeld, Nancy Currie, Richard Linnehan, James Newman, Michael Massimino
Launch date	March 1, 2002
Launch vehicle	Space Shuttle Columbia
Launch site	Kennedy Space Center
Landing date	March 12, 2002
Landing site	Kennedy Space Center

STS-109 was a NASA Space Shuttle mission that launched on March 1, 2002, from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission was a Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission, with the primary objective of replacing the Hubble Space Telescope's Focal Plane Assembly and Power Control Unit. The crew of STS-109 included Scott Altman, Duane Carey, John Grunsfeld, Nancy Currie, Richard Linnehan, James Newman, and Michael Massimino, who were supported by Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center. The mission was a collaboration between NASA, European Space Agency, and Space Telescope Science Institute.

Mission Overview

The STS-109 mission was the 108th Space Shuttle mission and the 27th flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission was designed to service the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched in 1990 by Space Shuttle Discovery during STS-31. The Hubble Space Telescope had been serviced previously by STS-61, STS-82, and STS-103, and STS-109 was the fourth servicing mission. The mission was planned and executed by NASA's Astrophysics Division and Space Shuttle Program, with support from European Space Agency, Space Telescope Science Institute, and Goddard Space Flight Center.

Crew

The crew of STS-109 included Scott Altman as the Commander, Duane Carey as the Pilot, and five Mission Specialists: John Grunsfeld, Nancy Currie, Richard Linnehan, James Newman, and Michael Massimino. The crew was supported by a team of Flight Directors at Mission Control Center, including Lee Morin and Rick Huskin. The crew trained at Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center before the mission, and they worked closely with the Hubble Space Telescope team at Space Telescope Science Institute and Goddard Space Flight Center.

Mission Objectives

The primary objective of the STS-109 mission was to service the Hubble Space Telescope and replace its Focal Plane Assembly and Power Control Unit. The crew also installed a new Cooling System and replaced the Solar Arrays. The mission included five Spacewalks, which were performed by John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan, and James Newman and Michael Massimino. The crew used the Space Shuttle Columbia's Remote Manipulator System to support the Spacewalks and to move equipment around the Hubble Space Telescope. The mission was supported by NASA's Ames Research Center, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and Marshall Space Flight Center.

Mission Timeline

The STS-109 mission launched on March 1, 2002, at 11:22 AM Eastern Standard Time from Kennedy Space Center's Launch Complex 39A. The crew spent the first two days in orbit checking out the Space Shuttle Columbia's systems and preparing for the Spacewalks. The first Spacewalk was performed on March 4, 2002, by John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan. The crew completed the five Spacewalks over the next four days, and they spent the final two days in orbit checking out the Hubble Space Telescope's systems and preparing for landing. The Space Shuttle Columbia landed on March 12, 2002, at 4:33 AM Eastern Standard Time at Kennedy Space Center's Shuttle Landing Facility.

Spacewalks

The STS-109 mission included five Spacewalks, which were performed by John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan, and James Newman and Michael Massimino. The first Spacewalk was performed on March 4, 2002, and it lasted for 7 hours and 1 minute. The second Spacewalk was performed on March 5, 2002, and it lasted for 7 hours and 16 minutes. The third Spacewalk was performed on March 6, 2002, and it lasted for 6 hours and 48 minutes. The fourth Spacewalk was performed on March 7, 2002, and it lasted for 7 hours and 18 minutes. The fifth and final Spacewalk was performed on March 8, 2002, and it lasted for 7 hours and 20 minutes. The Spacewalks were supported by NASA's Extravehicular Activity team at Johnson Space Center and Kennedy Space Center. Category:Astronautics