National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
Past Exhibition
Hubble Space Telescope
10 Images
Prior to undertaking construction of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) the Lockheed Missile and Space Company built a full-scale mockup in 1975 for conducting various feasibility studies. Initially a low-fidelity metal cylinder for testing handling procedures for the proposed spacecraft, the test vehicle evolved continuously as Lockheed proceeded through its feasibility studies and was awarded the contract to build the actual spacecraft. The test vehicle eventually served as a frame on which the cables and wiring harnesses for the actual spacecraft were fabricated. It was also used for simulations in developing maintenance and repair activities in orbit. Dynamic studies on the test vehicle including vibration studies and thermal studies led to its being designated the Hubble Space Telescope Structural Dynamic Test Vehicle (SDTV).
The artifact was stored outdoors at Lockheed in Sunnyvale Ca., until it was donated to NASM in June 1987 and shipped to the Garber facility. There it was refurbished and restored to its 1976 configuration. In 1996 the SDTV was removed from exhibit in order to upgrade the object to simulate the actual HST as it was being deployed from the Shuttle. This major upgrade, generously supported and executed by Lockheed, HST subcontractors, the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASM staff and volunteers, involved fabricating the equipment section for the Optical Telescope Assembly, the aperture door, high gain antennae, solar arrays, aft shroud handrails, and numerous other details. A major addition was realistic multi-layer (non-flight) thermal blanketing and taping, interface hardware, wave guides, and the umbilical. NASA also provided a large equipment cradle to allow the upgraded object to be displayed from the floor at a dramatic angle.
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Video
Object Details
Key Accomplishment(s)
(Structural Dynamic Test Vehicle)
Brief Description
This full-scale mockup of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was built by Lockheed in 1975 for conducting feasibility studies before the actual spacecraft was built. It was also used as a test vehicle for simulations of work to be completed on the real spacecraft in orbit, and was upgraded to simulate the flown object in 1997.
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
SPACECRAFT-Uncrewed
Manufacturer
Lockheed Martin Missile and Space Corporation
Dimensions
Overall: 14 ft. × 42 ft. 4 in., 3560.7kg (426.7 × 1290.3cm, 7850lb.)
Dynamic Test Vehicle and Display Cradle combined weight: 19150lb
Materials
Mixed metals, aluminized Mylar
Alternate Name
Hubble Space Telescope
Inventory Number
A19870193000
Credit Line
Gift of the Lockheed Missile and Space Corporation
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Open Access (CCO)
For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use.
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