STS-31
Deployment of the Hubble Space Telescope into a high Earth orbit
STS-31 carried the Hubble Space Telescope to an unusually high Shuttle orbit and deployed the observatory with Canadarm. Discovery remained nearby during initial checkout after the crew overcame a balky solar-array deployment, beginning a serviceable space-observatory program that would reshape astronomy through decades of observations and later Shuttle servicing missions.
Mission dossier
Flight profile, locations, hardware, and outcome in the same reference format used throughout the archive.
Flight profile
- Launch
- April 24, 1990
- Landing
- April 29, 1990
- Mission duration
- 5 days, 1 hour, 16 minutes, 6 seconds
- Orbits
- 80
- Inclination
- 28.45 degrees
Places and recovery
Mission record
- Mission type
- Hubble Space Telescope deployment
- Vehicle
- STS-31 flight stack
- Orbiter
- Space Shuttle Discovery (OV-103)
- Crew and station travelers
- 5
Assignment Manifest
The flight crew and the backup team assigned to train for this mission.
Prime crew
5 assignments
Bruce McCandless IIprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched April 24, 1990Returned April 29, 19905 days, 1 hour, 16 minutes, 6 secondsMission Specialist aboard STS-31 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Charles F. Bolden Jr.prime crewPilotLaunched April 24, 1990Returned April 29, 19905 days, 1 hour, 16 minutes, 6 secondsPilot aboard STS-31 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Kathryn Sullivanprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched April 24, 1990Returned April 29, 19905 days, 1 hour, 16 minutes, 6 secondsMission Specialist aboard STS-31 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Loren J. Shriverprime crewCommanderLaunched April 24, 1990Returned April 29, 19905 days, 1 hour, 16 minutes, 6 secondsCommander aboard STS-31 flight stack.Open astronaut archive
Steven A. Hawleyprime crewMission SpecialistLaunched April 24, 1990Returned April 29, 19905 days, 1 hour, 16 minutes, 6 secondsMission Specialist aboard STS-31 flight stack.Open astronaut archiveMission Purpose
2 sources- Deploy the Hubble Space Telescope into .
- Support Hubble activation and release operations using Discovery's remote manipulator system.
- Conduct IMAX photography and secondary science payloads.
- Operate Discovery in a high-altitude orbit required for Hubble deployment.
Planned Flight Plan
2 sources- Launch
High-altitude deployment mission begins
Discovery launched from Kennedy Space Center carrying the Hubble Space Telescope in its payload bay.
- Flight day 2
Hubble deployment
The crew released Hubble using shuttle robotics and supported observatory checkout after deployment.
- Orbit
Science and photography
The crew operated IMAX cameras and secondary experiments while Discovery remained in a higher-than-usual orbit.
- Landing
Edwards landing
Discovery returned from the Hubble deployment mission with a long deorbit burn from high altitude.
Mission Timeline
2 sources- April 24, 1990
Launch
Discovery climbed toward one of the highest Shuttle operating orbits.
- April 25, 1990
Hubble deployed
Canadarm lifted the observatory from the payload bay while its arrays and antennas extended.
- Following days
Checkout support
Discovery remained within range while controllers activated the telescope.
Open operation record - April 29, 1990
Landing
Discovery landed at Edwards after completing the observatory deployment.
Open operation record