Hubble uses electricity generated by solar energy to run its equipment and instruments. Hubble's large solar arrays convert sunlight into electricity. The arrays are nearly eight feet by 40 feet. The solar arrays supply power to the spacecraft and charge the batteries while in the sunlit part of the orbit. The batteries supply power during the night portion of the orbit. This photo shows astronaut Kathy Thornton jettisoning a damaged solar panel into space during the First Servicing Mission.
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