Hubble Space Telescope 1984

Professional Instruments Company designed and built the alignment gauging for the Hubble Space Telescope. Using our model 4B BLOCK-HEAD®air bearing as the reference axis, we assured that the 7’ long instrument packages could be attached in orbit to an accuracy of .001”.

The Points “A” Alignment Fixture certified the position of eight locating balls relative to the Telescope’s optical axis. The complex alignment system incorporated a broad range of metrology principles and devices found in the Professional Instruments toolbox.

The payoff came with the successful installation in orbit of the scientific package modules which incorporated the famous “fix” that saved the day for this wonderful and immensely valuable instrument.