1
00:00:22,322 --> 00:00:23,957
Over the past decades, we've

2
00:00:23,957 --> 00:00:27,861
struggled to see beyond the atmosphere
lying between earth and space.

3
00:00:28,561 --> 00:00:32,332
Even from mountaintop observatories,
the atmosphere has blurred

4
00:00:32,332 --> 00:00:34,200
our view of the universe.

5
00:00:34,200 --> 00:00:37,771
And because the atmosphere absorbs
certain forms of energy,

6
00:00:37,771 --> 00:00:40,407
our knowledge of celestial phenomena
has been limited.

7
00:00:41,441 --> 00:00:44,611
One answer has been to go beyond
the atmosphere.

8
00:00:45,311 --> 00:00:49,115
In fact, between the late sixties
and the late seventies, NASA's launched

9
00:00:49,115 --> 00:00:53,987
a series of special purpose observatories,
revealing ultraviolet sources

10
00:00:54,254 --> 00:00:57,223
such as very hot stars
and very young stars.

11
00:00:57,991 --> 00:01:00,393
These satellites made tremendous
breakthroughs

12
00:01:00,627 --> 00:01:04,297
and encouraged astronomers
to move on to larger observatories

13
00:01:04,798 --> 00:01:07,500
seeking answers
about more distant galaxies,

14
00:01:07,500 --> 00:01:10,336
mysterious pulsars and quasars.

15
00:01:10,637 --> 00:01:14,541
And the universe itself.

16
00:01:15,008 --> 00:01:19,946
Astronomers envision the next step
a multipurpose observatory in space,

17
00:01:20,313 --> 00:01:23,616
one that could image farther
and more clearly than its predecessors,

18
00:01:23,917 --> 00:01:26,886
uncovering phenomena
in ultraviolet, visible

19
00:01:26,886 --> 00:01:30,523
and infrared regions
of the spectrum and observatory

20
00:01:30,523 --> 00:01:34,694
that could expand our perception
to the outer reaches of the universe.

21
00:01:35,195 --> 00:01:37,397
That next step was HST.

22
00:01:38,031 --> 00:01:40,133
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope.

23
00:01:40,500 --> 00:01:43,636
With its precision
optics and diverse array of scientific

24
00:01:43,636 --> 00:01:49,576
instruments, NASA is responsible

25
00:01:49,576 --> 00:01:54,481
for developing, operating and maintaining
this ground size space observatory.

26
00:01:54,481 --> 00:01:56,116
With its unparalleled goals,

27
00:01:56,116 --> 00:01:59,853
the Hubble Space Telescope poses
a much greater challenge to operate

28
00:02:00,186 --> 00:02:02,989
than ground
based observatories are the satellites

29
00:02:02,989 --> 00:02:33,753
that came before it.

30
00:02:35,922 --> 00:02:39,159
Led by NASA engineers, scientists
and researchers

31
00:02:39,159 --> 00:02:43,663
from universities, industries
and the European Space Agency have

32
00:02:43,663 --> 00:02:47,667
combined efforts to meet the challenge
of operating Hubble Space Telescope.

33
00:02:48,334 --> 00:02:51,804
The result is one of the most complex
operations and maintenance systems

34
00:02:51,804 --> 00:02:56,643
in the world one that ensures quality
observations and spacecraft performance

35
00:02:56,976 --> 00:03:00,146
into the next century.

36
00:03:02,015 --> 00:03:04,350
To take a closer look,
we started the Space

37
00:03:04,350 --> 00:03:07,253
Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore,
Maryland.

38
00:03:08,021 --> 00:03:10,857
Aura,
a consortium of American universities,

39
00:03:10,990 --> 00:03:14,027
operates the Institute for NASA.

40
00:03:14,027 --> 00:03:16,129
The Space Telescope Science Institute

41
00:03:16,129 --> 00:03:19,699
is the International Center
for Science Activities with HST.

42
00:03:20,166 --> 00:03:24,804
It plans the day to day observations
and sets up the long term science program.

43
00:03:25,838 --> 00:03:28,374
Astronomers
first come in contact with the institute

44
00:03:28,374 --> 00:03:30,543
when they submit
their proposed science program.

45
00:03:31,511 --> 00:03:35,281
As with any major observatory,
the demand for the telescope exceeds

46
00:03:35,281 --> 00:03:36,683
the time available.

47
00:03:36,683 --> 00:03:39,519
We expect to receive over 1000 proposals
a year

48
00:03:40,019 --> 00:03:42,689
and only 200 can be conducted.

49
00:03:42,689 --> 00:03:45,892
A committee of international astronomers
selects the proposals

50
00:03:45,892 --> 00:03:47,393
based on their scientific merit.

51
00:03:48,494 --> 00:03:50,663
Because the HST offers

52
00:03:50,663 --> 00:03:54,200
several hundred instrument configurations,
our scientists

53
00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:57,503
work with the selected researchers
to detail their observations.

54
00:03:58,738 --> 00:04:03,409
Next, numerous proposals are incorporated
into a week long observing schedule

55
00:04:03,643 --> 00:04:06,446
that ensures the efficient use
of every telescope minute.

56
00:04:07,447 --> 00:04:10,350
There are many, many factors involved
in scheduling observations

57
00:04:10,350 --> 00:04:12,085
with the space telescope.

58
00:04:12,085 --> 00:04:14,487
There are many instruments on board
the space telescope.

59
00:04:14,854 --> 00:04:17,790
Within the same instrument,
there are several observing modes.

60
00:04:18,558 --> 00:04:23,162
Even the simplest observation requires
using different filters.

61
00:04:24,330 --> 00:04:28,635
We may also have to revisit the same
target at different times of the year.

62
00:04:29,202 --> 00:04:33,239
We want to maximize the time
spent observing with the space telescope

63
00:04:34,140 --> 00:04:37,310
and minimize the time wasted
moving the telescope around.

64
00:04:37,510 --> 00:04:41,648
Therefore, we will group the observations
to happen in the same area of the sky.

65
00:04:42,715 --> 00:04:43,816
We also

66
00:04:43,816 --> 00:04:47,587
want to use the same instrument
for long periods of time, even weeks

67
00:04:47,587 --> 00:04:50,590
at a time,
to minimize switching instruments on

68
00:04:50,590 --> 00:04:53,126
and off unnecessarily.

69
00:04:54,661 --> 00:04:57,130
Before the telescope scheduled
can be completed.

70
00:04:57,163 --> 00:05:01,067
Another essential factor is entered
the guide stars

71
00:05:01,601 --> 00:05:04,103
to establish guide stars for operations.

72
00:05:04,470 --> 00:05:08,574
The Institute has converted
1500 photographic plates of the sky

73
00:05:08,941 --> 00:05:13,880
into a catalog of 15 million stars,
using the catalog,

74
00:05:13,880 --> 00:05:17,717
the institute's computer selects
guide stars for each target.

75
00:05:18,551 --> 00:05:22,689
HST stabilizes on a target
by finding and locking onto

76
00:05:22,722 --> 00:05:26,092
to guide stars
with its precision guidance sensors.

77
00:05:26,926 --> 00:05:30,129
The sensors detect
any minor drift from the guide stars

78
00:05:30,463 --> 00:05:34,133
and correct the spacecraft's position
through the onboard computers

79
00:05:34,567 --> 00:05:37,804
with the guide stars
and other system factors incorporated.

80
00:05:38,204 --> 00:05:42,175
The Institute produces a week
long schedule which specifies

81
00:05:42,375 --> 00:05:46,779
when, where and how HST
science instruments will be used

82
00:05:52,652 --> 00:05:53,720
from the institute.

83
00:05:53,720 --> 00:05:58,024
The science schedule is transmitted
to the Space Telescope Operations Control

84
00:05:58,024 --> 00:06:02,695
Center, located at Goddard Space
Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland.

85
00:06:03,196 --> 00:06:06,199
This is the nerve center of HST
ground system.

86
00:06:07,133 --> 00:06:10,636
The science schedule automatically goes
into one of the control center

87
00:06:10,636 --> 00:06:13,773
computer systems,
which adds commands for operating

88
00:06:13,773 --> 00:06:16,843
and maintaining the observatory.

89
00:06:16,843 --> 00:06:20,513
These new commands cover such operations
as moving the telescope

90
00:06:20,847 --> 00:06:23,182
or pointing its communications antennas.

91
00:06:24,417 --> 00:06:26,452
The system also schedules links

92
00:06:26,452 --> 00:06:28,688
to NASA's communication satellites

93
00:06:29,889 --> 00:06:32,825
merging both the science and spacecraft
commands.

94
00:06:33,126 --> 00:06:35,995
The computer generates
a master schedule for the week.

95
00:06:36,529 --> 00:06:38,731
If this second by second schedule
were printed out,

96
00:06:39,031 --> 00:06:42,101
the stack would be 1 to 2 feet high.

97
00:06:42,101 --> 00:06:45,438
Commands are sent to HST
to onboard computers,

98
00:06:45,872 --> 00:06:49,542
which on an average day
carry out over 12,000 commands.

99
00:06:50,910 --> 00:06:51,811
The spacecraft's

100
00:06:51,811 --> 00:06:56,249
safety is also monitored
as the control center.

101
00:06:57,650 --> 00:07:01,821
A typical satellite has about a thousand
parameters that must be monitored.

102
00:07:02,889 --> 00:07:05,758
HST has about 6000.

103
00:07:06,359 --> 00:07:10,430
These parameters include specific
spacecraft temperatures, voltages,

104
00:07:10,596 --> 00:07:13,699
electrical currents
and the condition of its computers.

105
00:07:14,700 --> 00:07:17,970
Our engineers must instantly recognize
the codes for each

106
00:07:17,970 --> 00:07:21,240
function, interpret their measurements,
and take immediate action.

107
00:07:21,240 --> 00:07:23,576
If something is unusual

108
00:07:23,576 --> 00:07:25,912
because the engineers are overrun
with data.

109
00:07:25,945 --> 00:07:28,781
We became concerned about the potential
for human error.

110
00:07:29,415 --> 00:07:32,318
To minimize this possibility,
we are developing an artificial

111
00:07:32,318 --> 00:07:36,088
intelligence system
that automates much of the analysis.

112
00:07:37,089 --> 00:07:40,359
If the system finds something amiss,
it tells the operator.

113
00:07:40,860 --> 00:07:42,161
Eventually.

114
00:07:42,161 --> 00:07:45,898
It will also prescribe a solution
for the irregularity.

115
00:07:48,301 --> 00:07:50,570
Before the actual observations begin.

116
00:07:50,736 --> 00:07:53,773
Nasser must calibrate
adjust his various systems

117
00:07:54,173 --> 00:07:57,343
during a crucial seven month
period following launch.

118
00:07:57,977 --> 00:08:00,746
Marshall Space
Flight Center, located in Huntsville,

119
00:08:00,746 --> 00:08:03,950
Alabama, was responsible for building HST.

120
00:08:04,784 --> 00:08:06,452
Early in the calibration process.

121
00:08:06,452 --> 00:08:09,622
Marshall Personnel
managed the spacecraft's initial checkout

122
00:08:09,922 --> 00:08:11,157
from Goddard's control center.

123
00:08:12,992 --> 00:08:14,393
At the beginning of deployment.

124
00:08:14,393 --> 00:08:18,698
The shuttle bay doors open
and the orbiter supplies power to HST.

125
00:08:19,232 --> 00:08:23,169
Communication is then established
between the ground control center

126
00:08:23,336 --> 00:08:26,973
and the spacecraft
to verify proper configuration

127
00:08:26,973 --> 00:08:30,076
and to activate basic systems
for thermal safety.

128
00:08:31,377 --> 00:08:34,881
Next, the orbiter is arm
lifts HST out of the bay

129
00:08:35,147 --> 00:08:38,551
so the telescope's solar arrays
and antennas can be extended.

130
00:08:39,318 --> 00:08:41,787
The arm releases
the observatory into orbit

131
00:08:41,787 --> 00:08:44,790
some 300 miles above the earth.

132
00:08:44,790 --> 00:08:47,827
HST Solar arrays are oriented properly

133
00:08:48,027 --> 00:08:52,064
to convert the sun's energy
into electrical power for the observatory.

134
00:08:53,332 --> 00:08:56,736
The orbiter stays nearby
for about two days after release.

135
00:08:56,969 --> 00:09:02,341
In case HST needs further assistance
during this early critical period,

136
00:09:02,341 --> 00:09:04,176
once we establish that the spacecraft

137
00:09:04,176 --> 00:09:07,513
can operate on its own,
the orbiter returns to Earth.

138
00:09:08,414 --> 00:09:12,852
Meanwhile, ground control engineers
continue to verify that major components

139
00:09:12,852 --> 00:09:16,389
are up and running and that the telescope
is pointing properly.

140
00:09:17,790 --> 00:09:21,093
Next, through a
long series of calibrations, the telescope

141
00:09:21,093 --> 00:09:24,897
mirrors, star trackers,
bandgap sensors and rate gyros.

142
00:09:24,897 --> 00:09:28,200
Our land at approximately
the end of the first month.

143
00:09:28,734 --> 00:09:33,239
Marshall officially turned responsibility
for HST operations over to Garrett.

144
00:09:34,440 --> 00:09:35,541
During the second month.

145
00:09:35,541 --> 00:09:37,276
Goddard conducts further telescope

146
00:09:37,276 --> 00:09:40,446
calibrations and early
check out of the science instruments

147
00:09:41,280 --> 00:09:43,816
subsequent check out of the optics
and the instruments

148
00:09:43,816 --> 00:09:46,018
occurs during the remaining five months.

149
00:09:46,852 --> 00:09:49,522
Only then can the long
awaited observations

150
00:09:49,522 --> 00:09:50,423
begin

151
00:09:59,799 --> 00:10:01,467
to make these observations.

152
00:10:01,467 --> 00:10:04,604
HST commands must travel
an intricate path.

153
00:10:04,937 --> 00:10:07,740
The science commands from the Institute
are integrated

154
00:10:07,840 --> 00:10:11,243
with spacecraft commands
at Goddard's Control Center.

155
00:10:11,978 --> 00:10:15,014
Ultimately,
the signals are relayed to NASA

156
00:10:15,214 --> 00:10:20,252
tracking and data relay satellite orbiting
23,000 miles above Earth.

157
00:10:20,953 --> 00:10:25,024
The commands then go into HST
onboard computers to be implemented.

158
00:10:25,791 --> 00:10:30,396
This path reverses when data gathered by
an observation is sent back to Earth

159
00:10:31,797 --> 00:10:33,733
with commands loaded into its computers.

160
00:10:33,733 --> 00:10:36,569
The telescope automatically proceeds
with observations.

161
00:10:37,003 --> 00:10:40,506
In this case, HST
pivots slowly to its new target.

162
00:10:41,574 --> 00:10:45,211
Light from the target goes down
the telescope and hits the primary mirror.

163
00:10:45,811 --> 00:10:50,249
It reflects back to the secondary mirror,
reduced to a narrow beam.

164
00:10:50,249 --> 00:10:53,285
The light is aimed back to the focal plane
just behind it.

165
00:10:54,220 --> 00:10:57,823
The image is directed
to HST is fine guidance sensors

166
00:10:58,057 --> 00:11:02,161
which locate and lock on to guide
stars on either side of the target.

167
00:11:03,162 --> 00:11:05,564
With HST now centered on its target.

168
00:11:05,798 --> 00:11:08,134
The light travels into the science
instruments,

169
00:11:08,134 --> 00:11:11,003
which will make the observation

170
00:11:11,003 --> 00:11:13,472
the instruments shutters open.

171
00:11:13,472 --> 00:11:17,443
The correct filter is selected
and HST begins

172
00:11:17,443 --> 00:11:20,246
its exposure.

173
00:11:21,447 --> 00:11:25,151
While most observations are pre-planned,
10% require

174
00:11:25,151 --> 00:11:30,156
real time interaction
at the Institute by Scientists.

175
00:11:30,156 --> 00:11:33,993
Real time observations with the Space
Telescope Wi-Fi pre programing.

176
00:11:34,694 --> 00:11:38,664
For example, we want to observe
the red spots on Jupiter.

177
00:11:39,398 --> 00:11:44,670
These are complicated operations because
the planet moves and it also rotates.

178
00:11:45,471 --> 00:11:48,240
In order to be able to do this,
we have to take an early picture

179
00:11:48,240 --> 00:11:51,143
of the planet,
send information down to the ground,

180
00:11:51,944 --> 00:11:55,481
and then have an operator
make a very quick decision

181
00:11:55,481 --> 00:12:00,252
as to exactly where the instrument
that is being used has to be pointed.

182
00:12:00,920 --> 00:12:02,822
This is a very
challenging operation indeed.

183
00:12:04,490 --> 00:12:04,857
Within

184
00:12:04,857 --> 00:12:08,260
24 hours of an observation,
the observer can obtain the data

185
00:12:08,260 --> 00:12:12,131
from the Science Institute's Data
Archive and Distribution Service.

186
00:12:13,065 --> 00:12:16,569
The investigator who submitted
the proposal has exclusive rights

187
00:12:16,569 --> 00:12:19,305
to this information. For one year.

188
00:12:19,305 --> 00:12:22,408
After this period,
the data is available to scientists

189
00:12:22,408 --> 00:12:25,978
around the world
serving as an HST library.

190
00:12:26,212 --> 00:12:29,248
The archive will distribute
an equivalent of 500

191
00:12:29,248 --> 00:12:32,384
million pages of information
over a single year.

192
00:12:33,119 --> 00:12:36,956
The observations are distributed
through worldwide astronomical computer

193
00:12:36,956 --> 00:12:40,159
networks are through optical disks,

194
00:12:40,926 --> 00:12:44,130
magnetic tapes and photographs.

195
00:12:44,964 --> 00:12:47,666
Astronomers can use this information
at their home institute

196
00:12:48,267 --> 00:12:51,737
to further their own research.

197
00:12:53,038 --> 00:12:56,442
From this data, who can say
what great discoveries will be made?

198
00:12:56,742 --> 00:12:59,912
Astronomers
hope for answers about black holes,

199
00:13:00,346 --> 00:13:03,883
the evolution of galaxies
and the size of our universe.

200
00:13:04,517 --> 00:13:05,751
Looking to the future.

201
00:13:05,751 --> 00:13:08,554
To ensure the continuous flow
of such exciting data,

202
00:13:08,921 --> 00:13:13,292
NASA has created contingency plans
in contrast

203
00:13:13,292 --> 00:13:18,330
to the unexpected repair of the Solar
Maximum Mission spacecraft in 1984.

204
00:13:18,697 --> 00:13:22,134
Massa has prepared
for HST on orbit servicing.

205
00:13:24,470 --> 00:13:25,471
HST is

206
00:13:25,471 --> 00:13:29,074
designed and developed by NASA
for on orbit servicing by astronauts.

207
00:13:30,242 --> 00:13:33,479
Consequently, HST instruments
and various components

208
00:13:33,479 --> 00:13:36,448
were developed to be modular.

209
00:13:37,750 --> 00:13:40,219
This allows the astronauts
to replace degradable parts

210
00:13:40,219 --> 00:13:44,590
such as solar arrays and batteries
during routine servicing missions.

211
00:13:45,991 --> 00:13:48,327
The modular design also makes it possible

212
00:13:48,327 --> 00:13:50,963
to update the observatory
with new instruments.

213
00:13:51,997 --> 00:13:55,601
During the first planned
maintenance mission for the HST.

214
00:13:55,868 --> 00:13:59,071
We expect to remove
one of the original scientific instruments

215
00:13:59,071 --> 00:14:01,607
and replace it
with a near infrared instrument.

216
00:14:02,508 --> 00:14:07,079
The first scientific instruments on
the HST are sensitive to the ultraviolet

217
00:14:07,313 --> 00:14:10,316
and visible portions
of the electromagnetic spectrum.

218
00:14:10,816 --> 00:14:15,421
When we add an infrared capability,
we will be able to examine regions

219
00:14:15,421 --> 00:14:19,191
such as this, where stars
are in the process of formation today

220
00:14:19,825 --> 00:14:23,996
and will also be able to probe
still further back into the early history

221
00:14:23,996 --> 00:14:30,769
of our universe.

222
00:14:33,973 --> 00:14:34,740
Hubble Space

223
00:14:34,740 --> 00:14:38,544
Telescope operations can be compared
with the complexity and challenge

224
00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:41,981
of the operations necessary
to send astronauts to the moon.

225
00:14:43,048 --> 00:14:46,218
The expertize of thousands of individuals
has contributed

226
00:14:46,218 --> 00:14:52,057
to the innovative science instruments,
computer systems, information systems

227
00:14:52,324 --> 00:14:56,562
and maintenance hardware
that constitute HST operations network.

228
00:14:57,663 --> 00:15:02,101
This elaborate system supporting
Hubble space Telescope promises long

229
00:15:02,101 --> 00:15:06,372
sought answers to universal questions,
exciting discoveries to ponder,

230
00:15:06,872 --> 00:15:10,142
and possibly
a new understanding of our universe.