posted 01-10-2013 08:08 AM               

Scientists and engineers were not just worried about the massive amount of contaminants from RCS firings enveloping the shuttle and Hubble. Other shuttle systems were contaminant sources also. The cabin and propellant tanks were not perfectly sealed vessels, they all leaked, albeit not very much but they still leaked. Even the spacesuits the astronauts wore during the EVAs leaked.

Hubble scientists and engineers have been able to measure deterioration of Hubble's primary mirror. The deterioration is measurable, but not really noticeable. After 20+ years in orbit, this was to be expected. No one can differentiate how much of the deterioration is from micrometeorite impacts on the mirror's surface and contaminate deposits from the various shuttle service missions to Hubble, including the original deployment mission. We would have to return the mirror to Earth for testing and evaluation... and that will not happen.

As far as the ISS is concerned. Windows and solar cells are much more forgiving, as long as the light source is bright enough. A window would have to be seriously contaminated to affect visibility. The windows on all the Gemini spacecraft suffered contamination during the launch phase and yet the astronaut crews were able to take very good picture through them. The solar cells on opportunity are covered with dust and yet still produce electricity.

posted 01-10-2013 08:42 AM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Headshot:
The cabin and propellant tanks were not perfectly sealed vessels, they all leaked, albeit not very much but they still leaked. Even the spacesuits the astronauts wore during the EVAs leaked.

---