IMAX Returns to Space for Hubble’s Farewell Tour

Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has become a worldwide institution, providing spectacular imagery for the front pages of newspapers, and for our computer desktops. But alas, as with all things, its life is not infinite, and we are reaching a point where the future is hazy at best for the old man of the skies.

So to seemingly commemorate the last visit to the Hubble Telescope next year by shuttle mission STS-125, IMAX – the movie company that brought us 2001’s "Space Station 3D” – will be accompanying the mission to chronicle the life of the telescope.

"We are thrilled that people from around the world will experience this vital servicing mission from a front row seat," said Shana Dale, NASA deputy administrator, Headquarters, Washington. "Audiences will be mesmerized as they are transported to the distant galaxies of the universe."

The basis of the mission is to provide Hubble with enough repair that it will be able to continue working well in to the next decade. Prior to the announcement of this mission, NASA’s official policy was that Hubble was to be abandoned, and left to fall back to earth sometime between 2010 and 2032. Thankfully – due to public outcry, requests from the American Congress and the advice of many astronauts and NASA scientists – the decision was changed.

The 11 day mission will arrive at Hubble 3 days in to the flight, where using the shuttle’s mechanical arm, Hubble will be placed on a work platform within the cargo bay. A total of 5 planned spacewalks will then be completed to install a variety of new instruments.

Among these installations will be the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3).
[Excerpt from NASA press release]The COS is the most sensitive ultraviolet spectrograph ever flown on Hubble. The instrument will probe the cosmic web, the large-scale structure of the universe whose form is determined by the gravity of dark matter and is traced by the spatial distribution of galaxies and intergalactic gas. WFC3 is a new camera sensitive across a wide range of wavelengths (colors), including infrared, visible, and ultraviolet light. It will have a broad capability to study the planets in our solar system, the early and distant galaxies beyond Hubble's current reach, and nearby galaxies with stories to tell about their star formation histories.

"A decade ago we made a film that briefly touched on the subject of Hubble, but back then its first images were just coming in," said IMAX producer and director Toni Myers. "Today, we have Hubble's entire phenomenal legacy of data to explore. With IMAX 3D, we can transport people to galaxies that are literally 13 billion light years away. Real star travel is here at last."

The film, in conjunction with Warner Bros. pictures, will be set for release sometime in 2010.

Posted by Josh Hill.

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Comments

[Dr. Niphon Nimboonchaj]

I am a NASA enthusiast and have downloaded plenty photos taken by Space Hubble. I await to watch the IMAX 3-D film scheduled to show in 2010. This is a good news to me. Thanks for your excellent work.
Kind regards,
Dr. Niphon Nimboonchaj.

[Dr. Niphon Nimboonchaj]

Further to my earlier comment just post to you, will you please alert me when your IMAX 3-D film will be on screen in 2010 in Bangkok. My wife and I shall be the very first to watch your exciting IMAX 3-D again.
Kind regards,
Dr. Niphon Nimboonchaj

[Kritti Nimboonchaj]

hello dad!