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Original Vintage NASA Photographs New Photos added 6 December 2009 |
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Original Vintage NASA Photographs New Photos added 6 December 2009 |
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| The HST is the
product of a partnership between NASA, European Space Agency
Contractors, and the international community of astronomers. It is named
after Edwin P. Hubble, an American Astronomer who discovered the
expanding nature of the universe and was the first to realize the true
nature of galaxies.
The purpose of the HST is to study the cosmos from a low-Earth orbit. By placing the telescope in space, astronomers are able to collect data that is free of the Earth's atmosphere. The HST detects objects 25 times fainter than the dimmest objects seen from Earth and provides astronomers with an observable universe 250 times larger than visible from ground-based telescopes, perhaps as far away as 14 billion light-years. The HST views galaxies, stars, planets, comets, possibly other solar systems, and even unusual phenomena such as quasars, with 10 times the clarity of ground-based telescopes. There three major elements that make up the HST; the Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA), the Support System Module (SSM), and the Scientific Instruments (SI). The HST is about the size of a railroad car, with two cylinders joined together and wrapped in a silvery reflective heat shield blanket. Wing-like solar arrays extend horizontally from each side of these cylinders, and dish-shaped antennas extend above and below the body of the telescope. The spacecraft three interacting systems: The Support System Module (SSM), an outer structure that houses the other systems and provides services such as power, communication, and control; The Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA), which collects and concentrates the incoming light in the focal plane for use by the Scientific Instruments (SI); and five SIs. The SI Control and Data Handling (CDH) unit controls the five SI's, four that are housed in an aft section focal plane structure and one that is placed along the circumference of the spacecraft. The HST was deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31 mission) into Earth orbit in April 1990. The Marshall Space Flight Center had overall responsibility for design, development, and construction of the HST. The Perkin-Elmer Corporation, in Danbury, Connecticut, developed the optical system and guidance sensors. The Lockheed Missile and Space Company, Sunnyvale, California, produced the protective outer shroud and spacecraft systems, and assembled and tested the finished telescope. The HST Solar Array was designed by the European Space Agency and built by British Aerospace. |
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| Hubble Space Telescope (HST)
Primary
Mirror
All of the below listed photographs were purchased from a current MSFC employee and were issued by the Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. |
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£6.95 HST Primary Mirror Delivered To PE 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1777-78 1979 The Hubble Space Telescope Primary Mirror Blank delivered to Perkin-Elmer Corporation, in Danbury, Connecticut. PE staff are seen unpacking the mirror blank in the large optics fabrication facility. The huge Primary Mirror blank is made of low expansion silica glass. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 Perkin-Elmer Primary Mirror Inspection 10 x 8 Colour Photograph Perkin-Elmer No. 2040-79 January 1979 Two engineers (one out of view) are ready to inspect the Hubble Space Telescope's Primary Mirror Blank flight article at the Perkin-Elmer Corporation's large optics fabrication facility. After the 94 inch mirror blank passes inspection it will be ground to shape and polished. The glass surface will then be coated with a reflective layer of aluminium and a protective layer of magnesium fluoride, 0.1- and 0.025- micrometers thick, respectively. This very fine vintage colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Perkin-Elmer Primary Mirror Inspection #2 10 x 8 Colour Photograph Perkin-Elmer No. 2042-79 January 1979 Two engineers inspecting the Hubble Space Telescope's Primary Mirror Blank flight article at the Perkin-Elmer Corporation's large optics fabrication facility. After the 94 inch mirror blank passes inspection it will be ground to shape and polished. The glass surface will then be coated with a reflective layer of aluminium and a protective layer of magnesium fluoride, 0.1- and 0.025- micrometers thick, respectively. This very fine vintage colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Perkin-Elmer Primary Mirror Inspection #3 10 x 8 Colour Photograph Perkin-Elmer No. 2044-79 January 1979 Two engineers inspecting the Hubble Space Telescope's Primary Mirror Blank flight article at the Perkin-Elmer Corporation's large optics fabrication facility. After the 94 inch mirror blank passes inspection it will be ground to shape and polished. The glass surface will then be coated with a reflective layer of aluminium and a protective layer of magnesium fluoride, 0.1- and 0.025- micrometers thick, respectively. This very fine vintage colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD HST Primary Mirror Shaping 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 2041-79 1979 The Hubble Space Telescope Primary Mirror Blank is being shaped at the Perkin-Elmer Corporations large optics fabrication facility in Danbury, Connecticut. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 HST Primary Mirror Blank Sensors 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 2140-79 1979 This is a view looking underneath the HST Primary Mirror Blank showing the many sensors that will monitor all activity during the shaping and polishing of the Primary Mirror flight article. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£6.95 HST Primary Mirror And Transporter 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1264-80 1980 The Hubble Space Telescope Primary Mirror is seen being moved in its special transporter at the Perkin-Elmer Corporations large optics fabrication facility in Danbury, Connecticut. This is used to move the Mirror to its many different locations within the fabrication facility during preparations for use in the Optical Tube Assembly. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD HST Primary Mirror Ready For Inspection 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3391-81 1981 The Hubble Space Telescope Primary Mirror Blank is being fitted in its steel frame at the Perkin-Elmer Corporations large optics fabrication facility in Danbury, Connecticut. Its now ready for the its initial inspection after shaping. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£8.95 HST Primary Mirror Initial Inspection 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3371-81 1981 Technicians are inspecting the Hubble Space Telescope Primary Mirror Blank in Perkin-Elmer Corporations large optics fabrication facility in Danbury, Connecticut. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Primary Mirror Inspection 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3464-81a 1981 A Technician is seen inspecting the Hubble Space Telescope Primary Mirror Blank in Perkin-Elmer Corporations large optics fabrication facility in Danbury, Connecticut. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Primary Mirror Ready For Coatings 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3460-81 1981 After the 8-foot diameter mirror was ground to shape and polished, the glass surface will now be coated with a reflective layer of aluminium and a protective layer of magnesium fluoride, 0.1- and 0.025-micrometers thick, respectively. Here the mirror is being set to be coated in PE's large optics fabrication facility in Danbury, Connecticut This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£8.95 Primary Mirror after Coating 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3583-81 1981 The 8-foot diameter mirror has been ground to shape, polished, and the glass surface has been coated with a reflective layer of aluminium and a protective layer of magnesium fluoride, 0.1- and 0.025-micrometers thick, respectively. The mirror is now being moved and set in a cradle for inspection in PE's optics fabrication facility in Danbury, Connecticut. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 Primary Mirror Sensor Testing 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 2084-83 1983 This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
| Optical Tube Assembly |
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£5.95 OTA Primary Mirror Main Ring 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 4057-82 1982 The Optical Tube Assembly Primary Mirror Main Ring is being moved to the work stand for assembly with the Primary Mirror. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£6.95 Main Baffle Of The Optical Tube Assembly 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 0057-83 1983 A fine portrait of the Main Baffle for the mirror assembly which is an integral part of the Optical Tube Assembly. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£6.95 Primary Mirror Assembly 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1597-83 1983 The Optical Tube Assembly Primary Mirror is being set up for shipping to Lockheed for final assembly of the Space Telescope. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Primary Mirror Assembly #2 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1596-83B 1983 The Optical Tube Assembly Primary Mirror is being set up for shipping to Lockheed for final assembly of the Space Telescope. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£6.95 Primary Mirror Assembly #3 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 83-1596 1983 The Optical Tube Assembly Primary Mirror is being set up for shipping to Lockheed for final assembly of the Space Telescope. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Primary Mirror Assembly #4 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1596-83C 1983 The Optical Tube Assembly Primary Mirror is being set up for shipping to Lockheed for final assembly of the Space Telescope. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Primary Mirror & Radial SI Module 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 5346-83 1983 The Optical Tube Assembly's Primary Mirror and Radial Scientific Instrument Module. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Primary Mirror & Radial SI Module #2 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 5346-83a 1983 The Optical Tube Assembly's Primary Mirror and Radial Scientific Instrument Module. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 OTA Primary Mirror Main Ring Cover 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1850-83 1983 This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 OTA Primary Mirror Main Ring Cover #2 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1852-83 1983 This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£7.95 Completed Primary Mirror Assembly 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1993-83 1983 The Optical Tube Assembly's Primary Mirror setup is just about ready to be packed for delivery to Lockheed. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 Focal Plain Structure 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 2093-83 1983 Perkin-Elmer Technicians prepare the Focal Plain Structure for delivery to Lockheed. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Axial Scientific Instrument Module Components 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 4991-83 1983 Axial Scientific Instrument Module components of the Optical Tube Assembly. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Axial Scientific Instrument Module Components #2 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 1057-84 1983 Axial Scientific Instrument Module components of the Optical Tube Assembly. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£6.95 Support Systems Module 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 2247-84 1984 The Optical Tube Assembly Support Systems Module. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
| Optical Tube Assembly Metering Truss |
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£5.95 Metering Truss Arrives At Perkin-Elmer 10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 2040-80 1 October 1980 The Optical Tube Assembly Graphite Epoxy Metering Truss is seen shortly after arrival at Perkin-Elmer Corporation, in Danbury, Connecticut. This very fine vintage NASA glossy photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Optical Tube Assembly Metering Truss 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 4208-83 1983 A fine portrait of the Graphite Epoxy Metering Truss with the Secondary Mirror Baffle in place. The Metering Truss will the support the Main Aluminium Baffle and hold the Secondary Mirror Assembly within the Secondary Mirror Baffle. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD Metering Truss Packed For Delivery 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 0533-84 1984 The Optical Tube Assembly Metering Truss at Perkin-Elmer Corp. is being packed up for delivery to Lockheed for final assembly and testing of the completed HST. Perkin-Elmer Technicians are finishing the installation of the Secondary Mirror Baffle at the end of the Metering Truss and covering the whole Truss in plastic protective wrapping. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 Optical Tube Assembly Metering Truss 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 0531-84 1984 The Optical Tube Assembly Metering Truss is the support for the main baffle for the mirror assembly. Technicians here are putting the final touches on the Secondary Mirror Baffle before shipping it off to Lockheed for final assemble and testing of the Space Telescope. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£5.95 Optical Tube Assembly Metering Truss #2 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 0528-84 1984 The Optical Tube Assembly Metering Truss is the support for the main baffle for the mirror assembly of the Optical Tube Assembly. A Technician is seen putting the final touches on the Secondary Mirror Baffle before shipping it off to Lockheed for final assemble and testing of the Space Telescope. This very fine vintage NASA photograph is in near mint condition. |
| HST Assembly begins at Lockheed |
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SOLD Secondary Mirror Assembly 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3950-84 1984 The Optical Tube Assembly Secondary Mirror Truss. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD OTA Focal Plain Structure 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 2474-84 1984 The top portion of the Optical Tube Assembly Focal Plain Structure that will hold the 4 Axial Scientific Instrument Modules. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD HST Construction Begins 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3264-84 1984 Lockheed technicians begin the task of constructing the Hubble Space Telescope. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£7.95 HST Construction Begins #2 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 4778-84 1984 The Optical Tube Assembly is at the top and you can see the Metering Truss in place. Underneath this the beginnings of the Axial Scientific Instrument Modules can be seen. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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SOLD HST Construction Begins #3 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 3823-84 1984 The Optical Tube Assembly and the Axial Scientific Instrument Module structure is being flipped over so that the ASI will be on top of the work-stand and the OTA on the bottom. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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£4.95 Systems Support Components 10 x 8 Colour NASA Photograph NASA No. PE 0039-85 1985 Components of the Support Systems Module are seen on a work-bench at Lockheed. This very fine vintage NASA colour photograph is in near mint condition. |
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