SPACEPHOTOS

(08/31/2001) -- STS-109 INSIGNIA -- STS-109 is the fourth mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The mission patch depicts the Hubble Space Telescope and the Space Shuttle Columbia over the North American continent. During the 11-day mission, the crew of Columbia will rendezvous with the telescope and grapple and berth it to the Space Shuttle using the remote manipulator system. Then, a series of spacewalks will be performed to significantly upgrade HST's scientific capabilities and power system. Inside of HST's aperture is a portrayal of the spectacular Hubble Deep Field Image, representing the billions of stars and galaxies in the Universe. This Deep Field Image symbolizes all the major discoveries made possible by the Hubble Space Telescope over the last 10 years, and all those to come following the installation of the Advanced Camera for surveys (ACS) by the crew of STS-109. The ACS is the major scientific upgrade for this servicing mission and will dramatically increase HST's ability to see deeper into our universe. To further extend HST's discovery potential, a new cooling system will be added that will restore HST's infrared capability. The telescope is also shown with the smaller, sturdier, and more efficient solar arrays that will be installed during the spacewalks on STS-109. When combined with a new Power Control Unit, these solar arrays will provide more power for use by the telescope and allow multiple scientific instruments to operate concurrently.