CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — With a forecast of near-perfect weather, NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope scientists and managers were euphoric as they awaited today’s planned launch of shuttle Atlantis.
“To be within one day of it is remarkable, unbelievable and I have to persuade myself I’m not dreaming,” said senior project scientist David Leckrone.
“But I walk outside, and I see that beautiful bird on the pad (Atlantis), and I see the gorgeous weather, and we’re going to get off tomorrow, and it’s going to go splendidly,” he said. “I just feel it.”
The 19-year-old Hubble needs batteries, gyroscopes, cameras and other equipment that NASA hopes will keep the telescope operating — at a higher-than-ever scientific level — for another five to 10 years.
