Hubble Gets New Camera

By John Johnson, Newser Staff

Posted May 14, 2009 4:58 PM CDT

(Newser) – The Hubble space telescope got some improved vision today in the form of a new camera. Two Atlantis astronauts completed a seven-hour spacewalk to give the 19-year-old telescope a much-needed upgrade, Space.com reports. "Woo-hoo, it's moving out," said astronaut Andrew Feustel after the old camera refused to budge at first. The spacewalk is the first of five planned over the shuttle's 11-day mission to service Hubble.

"We got to Hubble and gave Hubble a hug," said the other astronaut, John Grunsfeld. "And in traditional Hubble fashion, Hubble threw us a few curves." It was the first time since 2002 that humans had touched the telescope. The camera the astronauts replaced will return to earth and eventually go on display at the Smithsonian.

This photo provided by NASA shows the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the shuttle Atlantis. (AP Photo/NASA)

This photo provided by NASA shows the Hubble Space Telescope being reeled in by the shuttle Atlantis. (AP Photo/NASA)

This photo provided by NASA shows the Hubble Space Telescope as seen from Atlantis. (AP Photo/NASA)

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MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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NASA Puts Sale of Apollo 13 Checklist on Hold

Astronaut Lovell sold it for $388K, but he may not own it

World's Biggest Plane to Rocket People into Space

Paul Allen project might be ready for tests in 2016

NASA Puts Out Call for Astronauts

Though it'll be a looong time before you get into space

NASA's New Worry: Astronauts Going Blind

It could happen on a trip to Mars

NASA Clip Shows 9/11 From Space

Smoke rises from New York in ISS video

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