NASA chose Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, to be the lead in scientific instrument design and ground control for the space observatory. Lockheed Missiles and Space Company (now, Lockheed Martin) was selected by Marshall to build the cylindrical casing and the internal support systems (the Support Systems Module) and assembling the telescope together. Marshall delegated Perkin-Elmer Corporation (now, Hughes Danbury Optical Systems) the task of developing the Optical Telescope Assembly and the Fine Guidance Sensors. NASA chose Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, as the lead NASA field center for the design, development, and construction of the renamed Space Telescope (ST). In 1977, Congress approved funding to build one of the most sophisticated satellites ever constructed. In return, NASA guaranteed at least fifteen percent of telescope time-the amount of time astronomers use the telescope for space observations - to European astronomers. The European Space Agency (ESA) joined the project in 1975 and provided fifteen percent of the funding of the LST via contribution of the Faint Object Camera (FOC) and the solar arrays. Too many instruments meant financial support was less likely conversely, instruments of minimal capability would result in the loss of scientific support for the telescope. Scientists also had to balance the size and quantity of scientific instruments versus their cost. NASA suggested that the lifetime of the space telescope be fifteen years, which implied that the instruments needed the ability to be replaced on the ground or even serviced in orbit-an ability not afforded to any satellite before or since. Image to the right: This image shows a drawing of what the Space Shuttle has looked like from 1972 - present. The shuttle could, and would, be used for a myriad of other operations for the space program as well. The Space Shuttle could deploy the LST into space and reel it back for return to Earth. Although an issue with its mirror initially appeared catastrophic, following several service missions it has gone on to make numerous contributions to the scientific community including assisting in determining a more accurate estimation for the age of the universe.NASA and its industrial partners-called contractors-brought up the option of developing a vehicle that could achieve orbit and return to earth intact and be reused repeatedly the concept of the Space Shuttle was born. The Hubble Space Telescope was launched aboard Discovery in 1990. In addition to celebrating the 40th anniversary of STS-1, the model also commemorates the launch of STS-31 with the addition of a Hubble Space Telescope model. The 1:70 scale replica features a number of details including both a flight deck and middeck, functional payload doors, landing gear, and elevons, and a working rudder that can be split to replicate the shuttle’s air break. Set to be released for sale on April 1, the 2,354-piece Space Shuttle Discovery model was developed in collaboration with NASA and is expected to retail for €179,99 ($199,99/£169.99). To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first space shuttle mission, Lego has created what it calls its most “detailed reimagination” of the Space Shuttle Discovery to date. The 2,354-piece Space Shuttle Discovery Lego model will go on sale on April 1 and will retail for €179,99 | Image credit: Lego
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