open dyslexic mode

Step inside one of the most daring spacewalks in NASA history — the orbital "open-heart surgery" that saved the Hubble Space Telescope.

Now, for the first time, the actual Power Control Unit (PCU) removed during Servicing Mission 3B in 2002 is up for auction — a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own the original heart of Hubble. This incredible artifact powered the legendary telescope from its launch in 1990 until its dramatic replacement in orbit, ensuring discoveries that changed our understanding of the cosmos.

🔧 What is it?
A 160-pound, flight-used electrical powerhouse that circulated life-giving electricity to all of Hubble's instruments for over 12 years — managing power from its solar arrays to every sensor, gyro, and camera. Without it, Hubble would have been silent.

🧑‍🚀 Why is it legendary?
Because it was never meant to be removed. Astronauts John Grunsfeld and Richard Linnehan trained for months to perform the high-stakes EVA where Hubble had to be completely powered down — a first — to swap this unit and bring it safely home. That dramatic mission became a turning point in space servicing history.

🌌 Why it matters:
This PCU witnessed the first light from Hubble, endured 1.79 billion miles in space, and enabled discoveries like the Pillars of Creation and Hubble Deep Field. It's more than a component — it’s a scientific and cultural relic that helped unlock the secrets of the universe.

📦 Includes its custom-built NASA shipping crate, multiple Lockheed/HST tags, and a PSA Photo Match Certificate.

🚀 Own a piece of history. Own the pulse of a telescope that changed the world.

🔗 Learn more and bid now at Heritage Auctions.
historical.ha.com/itm/space-exploration/mission-fl…

#Hubble #HubbleTelescope #NASA #SpaceExploration #Astronomy #HubbleSpaceTelescope #SpaceHistory #CosmicDiscovery #Astrophysics #NASAMission #STS109 #Spacewalk #SpaceEngineering #OrbitalServicing #OpenHeartSurgeryInSpace #SpaceArtifacts #SpaceCollectibles #HeritageAuctions #AuctionHighlight #MuseumPiece #RareCollectibles #ScienceYouTube #HistoryInTheMaking #BehindTheScenes #OnThisDayInSpace #FromOrbitToEarth #PoweringDiscovery #HeartOfHubble #TouchTheStars #LegacyOfExploration #WindowsToTheUniverse

Brought to you by HA.com/
To learn more, visit www.HA.com/6317

Stay Connected to Heritage Auctions:
www.facebook.com/HeritageAuctions
www.twitter.com/HeritageAuction