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Astronauts Wrap Up Hubble 'Scope Repairs

By the Associated Press

Posted May 18, 2009 4:30 PM CDT

(AP) – After 5 amazing days, spacewalking astronauts finished repair work on the Hubble Space Telescope today and shut the doors to the treasured observatory, which will never be touched by human hands again. NASA said the revived telescope will be better than ever thanks to the astronauts' efforts and should provide even more dazzling views of the universe for another 5 to 10 years.

During this last visit to Hubble, the shuttle Atlantis astronauts outfitted the 19-year-old observatory with two state-of-the-art science instruments, and all new batteries and gyroscopes. The $220 million worth of new instruments should allow the telescope to peer even deeper into the cosmos, as far back as 13 billion years. "This is a really tremendous adventure that we've been on, a very challenging mission," Hubble's chief mechanic said.

Astronaut John Grunsfeld is reflected on the surface of the Hubble Space Telescope as he works to upgrade the orbiting observatory during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

Astronaut John Grunsfeld holds a camera as he makes a photo of Andrew Feustel while they work to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

Astronauts Andrew Feustel, left, and John Grunsfeld work to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

Astronauts John Grunsfeld, rear, and Andrew Feustel work to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

Astronaut John Grunsfeld puts on the foot restraints as he works to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

Astronauts John Grunsfeld, left, and Andrew Feustel work to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

In this image from NASA TV astronauts Andrew Feustel, left, and John Grunsfeld work to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

In this image from NASA TV astronaut Andrew Feustel works to upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope during a spacewalk, Monday, May 18, 2009. ((AP Photo/NASA TV))

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

astronauts • repair • shuttle • Hubble Space Telescope

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Dark Matter Map Unveils Cosmic Mystery

Data from Hubble telescope reaches back billions of years

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

Vast New Black Holes Shatter Record

They're 10 times the size of our solar system

NASA Puts Out Call for Astronauts

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

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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