answersLogoWhite

0

HST gets its power from 2 large solar panels, located on either side of the spacecraft's main body. They are programmed to move to the optimal angle for sunlight absorption as it orbits the Earth, regardless of the angle of the spacecraft itself.

The original arrays were replaced on HST Servicing Mission 1 in December 1993, due to extensive warping caused by the constant change in thermal temperatures as it passed through the day/night terminator orbiting the Earth every 90 minutes. The arrays installed during SM1 were replaced on Servicing Mission 3B in March 2002. The new ones are much heavier, more efficient, and designed to better withstand the extreme thermal changes, which can go from 140°C to - 140°C.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?