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Astronaut
Steve Smith is holding a power ratchet tool on
orbit in front of Hubble’s aft shroud compartment.
The Hubble Space Telescope is the first spacecraft
designed with replaceable parts and instruments
for planned servicing. To enable astronauts to
change out parts, special tools and aids had to
be designed, tested, and built.
Hubble
was built with 225 feet of handrails and 31 astronaut
restraint platforms to give astronauts safe, convenient
worksites as they orbit Earth at 17,500 mph (28,163
kph) to service the telescope. In addition, many
special-purpose tools have been developed to meet
the unique change-out requirements for the telescope.
The power ratchet tool is a 3/8-inch-drive, right-angle
power tool used for tasks, requiring controlled
torque, speed, and/or turns. This tool is one
of two power tools designed, built, and tested
at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and Johnson
Space Center to be strong and reliable enough
to withstand the harsh environment of space. They
have been used successfully on the three Hubble
servicing missions.
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