Servicing Mission 3B (SM3B)

In November 1999, the fourth of Hubble’s six gyros needed for safely turning and locking onto observation targets failed, leading the telescope to enter safe mode and stop making observations. Rather than wait for the originally scheduled maintenance mission planned for June 2000, NASA split the mission into two parts: Servicing Mission 3A and 3B.

Also known as STS-109, Servicing Mission 3B (SM3B) continued the repairs and improvements started in 1999 with Servicing Mission 3A. This mission’s major highlight was the installation of the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) to replace the Faint Object Camera (FOC). Also completed during this mission were the installation and upgrades of Hubble system equipment.

SM3B Crew Members:

Scott Altman, Mission Commander

Duane Carey, Pilot

John Grunsfeld, Payload Commander and Mission Specialist

Nancy Currie, Mission Specialist

Richard Linnehan, Mission Specialist

James Newman, Mission Specialist

Michael Massimino, Mission Specialist

Learn more about SM3B at NASA's website: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/observatory/missions-to-hubble/servicing-mission-3b/