Shuttle Atlantis Blasts Off On Last Hubble Mission

Florida Cape Canaveral The telescope is in need of a $1 billion repair job. Astronauts will conduct five spacewalks to install new cameras batteries and gyroscopes and attempt to fix two broken science instruments.
by The Associated Press
Published: Mon, May 11, 2009 - 12:24 pm CST Last Updated: Mon, May 11, 2009 - 12:59 pm CST
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - Space shuttle Atlantis is on its way
to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Atlantis and seven astronauts blasted off Monday on a mission
that has more risks than usual. It is NASA's final trip to Hubble
and comes after a seven-month delay.
Atlantis and its crew were supposed to fly to Hubble last fall,
but the telescope broke down.
The telescope is in need of new equipment and repairs, and the
shuttle should arrive at the orbiting observatory Wednesday.
The $1 billion repair job will feature five spacewalks. The
astronauts will install new cameras, batteries and gyroscopes, and
attempt to fix two broken science instruments.
Another shuttle is on a launch pad and ready to lift off on a
rescue mission if Atlantis is seriously damaged during the 11-day
flight.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Embed:
Email a Friend Email to a Friend   
Printer Friendly Printer Friendly
Download Video   
Translate: » Spanish | French | German | Italian | Japanese | Chinese | Russian | Hindi

Recently Commented On

Baldwin School Closing A Possibility?

2 Total Comments
Baldwin School Closing A Possibility? Baldwin County Board of Education says more layoffs, school… more »

Deadly Ship Explosion

1 Total Comments
Deadly Ship Explosion One person is dead, another believed to be dead following… more »

Gulf Coast Classic Attendance:…

10 Total Comments
Gulf Coast Classic Attendance: 8,495 The city of Mobile put up more than $70,000 for the 2009… more »

Katrina Ruling Could Bring New…

6 Total Comments
Katrina Ruling Could Bring New Deluge Of Lawsuits Now that a federal judge has blamed "monumental negligence"… more »

Fairhope Man Pleads Guilty To…

1 Total Comments
Fairhope Man Pleads Guilty To Hitting Cyclists Bradford Maples of Fairhope entered a plea Friday morning… more »