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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009
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Smile! Astronauts Fix Broken Hubble Cam

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(AP) – Spacewalking astronauts gave the Hubble Space Telescope a more commanding view of the cosmos by installing a new high-tech instrument today, then pulled off their toughest job yet: fixing a broken camera. It was the third spacewalk in as many days for the shuttle Atlantis crew, and it was the most intricate ever performed because of the unprecedented camera repairs.

Astronauts had never before tried to take apart a science instrument at the 19-year-old observatory. Hubble's chief mechanic, John Grunsfeld, deftly opened the burned-out camera and plucked out all four electronic cards that needed to be replaced. To everyone's surprise, the new cards and power supply pack went in just as smoothly. For a change, the astronauts ran ahead of schedule and finished in the allotted 6 1/2 hours.

In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Mike Massimino works with the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis, Friday, May 15, 2009.
In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Mike Massimino works with the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis, Friday, May 15, 2009.   ((AP Photo/NASA))
In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Michael Good, left, works with the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis, Friday, May 15, 2009.
In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Michael Good, left, works with the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis, Friday, May 15, 2009.   ((AP Photo/NASA))
In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Michael Good works with the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis, Friday, May 15, 2009.
In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Michael Good works with the Hubble Space Telescope in the cargo bay of the earth-orbiting space shuttle Atlantis, Friday, May 15, 2009.   ((AP Photo/NASA))
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kokuaguy
May 17, 09 6:22 AM CDT
At 1:15 a.m. Hawaii time I'm number one on Newser with 1179 points. I assume my points will have fallen off enough by the time that jemikeos gets started again in Chicago that he will soon knock me back down to Number 2. Whatever- it was fun to be on top for awhile. ;^) Reply
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May 17, 09 5:48 PM CDT
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