Hubble Space Telescope Space Craft SCIENCE KIT Assembly Instructions Web Version 3.2

The photo shows an assembled HST Space Craft (tm) SCIENCE KIT. Click the image for more views. These instructions are for use with the "Bare Bones" laser-cut Parts Sheets. A fully packaged kit version, which includes assembly instructions printed in black & white on paper, with a paper Fact Sheet and Presentation guide, is also available.

YOU'LL NEED THE FOLLOWING:

• Small scissors, such as manicure scissors, to release the parts from the laser-cut parts sheets.

• Wooden toothpicks for applying glue.

• A metal-edged ruler or straightedge to help make some folds.

• A pencil.

• A stiff wooden ruler to help in pressing the seams together when assembling cylindrical parts.

• Glues. Use regular white glue (Elmer's Glue-All or equivalent), or, perhaps better, a thick white glue, sold in art stores and fabric stores, called "TACKY GLUE" (Aleen's Original or equivalent). Additionally, a lower moisture glue, such as a Glue Stick (UHU Brand or equivalent) will be required for gluing the telescope tube and aft shroud. If you're comfortable using a hot-glue gun, you may find this helpful for some parts, especially for attaching the HGA booms in Step 7.

• Tweasers or long-nose pliers.

• A coaster or other small flat object weighing 2 or 3 ounces, to help glue some parts.

• Space. Set up a well lighted, comfortable work area, with room to set glued parts to dry.

• Time. Plan to set aside a few hours for unhurried assembly. It may take five hours or more to assemble your HST Scale Model.

• Patience. There may be some trying times. If so, remember that extra time and care will pay off with a surprisingly accurate, and handsome representation of NASA's HST, a sophisticated spacecraft.

• Optional: You may wish to fashion a stand for your model. A simple stand can be made by bending a length of wire. Brass wire from a hobby store, or steel wire such as coat hanger wire, will work. About half a meter, or 18 inches, in length is plenty. Such a stand may also be convenient to support parts during assembly. If you choose to work with wire, be cautious to prevent eye injury, especially when cutting the wire, when fragments may fly. This image shows a stand made of soft iron wire obtained from a craft store.

• Optional: You might find it helpful to use an electric hair drier to set the glue in some places. If you do, be very careful not to blow the pieces apart!

BEFORE BEGINNING ASSEMBLY:

• Examine all the parts on both sheets, and read their names.

  

• Notice the RELEASE POINTS you'll need to clip to release parts from the parts sheets. Also notice HINGES, where parts will be folded.

• Read all of these instructions. Compare model parts with the illustrations.

• Have a look at the HST Fact Sheet, and browse the Space Telescope Science Institute web site.

• Get your bearings: Examine the image of the spacecraft below. For the purpose of these instructions, note the FORWARD and AFT directions shown in the image. "Inboard" will be defined as toward the center of the spacecraft, and "Outboard" is defined as away from the center.

  1. Assemble the Aft Shroud.

  2. Assemble the Telescope Tube.

  3. Install the Secondary Mirror.

  4. Install the Equipment Modules.

  5. Install the Forward Handrail.

  6. Install the Aperture Door.

  7. Assemble the High-Gain Antennas.

  8. Install the Scuff Plates.

  9. Attach the remaining Handrails.

  10. Install the Magnetic Torquers.

  11. Assemble and install the Solar Arrays.

  12. Install the Low-Gain Antennas.

Now that you're familiar with all of the spacecraft's major structures and its science instruments, be sure to browse the Space Telescope Science Institute web site to learn more about the spacecraft, its mission, and all about its many, many discoveries. Also, be sure to see the following from SCI:

• HST Presentation Guide
• HST Fact Sheet