Space Telescope-Design for Orbital Maintenance

Abstract

In late 1983 NASA plans to orbit the Space Telescope (ST) utilizing the Space Shuttle as the launch platform. The NASA-Marshall Space Flight Center*, in association with other NASA Centers, selected contractors, Agencies, and institutions, has the lead responsibility for ST development. Accordingly, NASA – MSFC has planned for an integral on-orbit maintenance capability and overall 15 year orbital life-time goal for ST. The ST is the first free-flying payload explicity designed for major on-orbit maintenance (approximately every 2–1/2 years) which is expected to result in significant program cost savings by reducing earth returns and extending the overall life of the payload. Design for orbital maintenance by the extra-vehicular (EV) flight crew has presented a unique challenge to both NASA and contractor program and systems/engineering personnel. Thus, this paper will primarily be focused on design considerations associated with on-orbit servicing of ST.