Launch from Cape Canaveral (
KSC); landing on Cape
Canaveral (
KSC). The
launch was scrubbed three times: On December 06, 1999 (technical problems), on
December 16, 1999 (again technical problems) and on December 18, 1999
(weather).
Hubble-Servicing-Mission 3A. Following two days in flight
Hubble was captured successful in the first attempt.
First
EVA by
Smith and
Grunsfeld on 22.12.1999 (8h 15m) in which three Rate Sensor
Units with each two gyroscopes were replaced, because four gyroscopes had
failed. They also opened valves on the
NICMOS
to purge nitrogen coolant from that instrument and installed
Voltage/Temperature Improvement Kits.
Second
EVA by
Foale and
Nicollier on 23.12.1999 (8h 10m). They replaced the outmoded
DF-224-Computer and installed a new and better computer (20 times faster) and
replaced a 500-pound fine guidance sensor.
Third and final
EVA by
Smith and
Grunsfeld on 24.12.1999 (8h 8m) to replace a failed
S-band-transmitter and a Solid State Recorder. They also applied some new
insulation on equipment bay doors to minimize degradation of the telescope's
protective thermal coverings.
After that, on December 25, 1999, Hubble
was deployed again.
