KSC-08pd2389

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Payload Hazardous Servicing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, technicians monitor the placement of the Soft Capture Mechanism (SCM), part of the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System, or SCRS, as it is lowered onto a stand. The SCRS will enable the future rendezvous, capture and safe disposal of Hubble by either a crewed or robotic mission. The ring-like device attaches to Hubble’s aft bulkhead. The SCRS greatly increases the current shuttle capture interfaces on Hubble, therefore significantly reducing the rendezvous and capture design complexities associated with the disposal mission. The SCRS comprises the Soft Capture Mechanism system and the Relative Navigation System and is part of the payload on the fifth and final Hubble servicing mission, STS-125, targeted for launch Oct. 8. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

Date: 2008-08-12
Collection: KSC
Archive: NASA Image and Video Library
Type: photograph