Flown Fixed Head Star Tracker (FHST) Contingency cover, SN #1001, flown on board Columbia mission STS-109 (SM3B). Made of Teflon Kapton blanketing material with Nomex straps, and measures 65 x 38 x 5 unfolded. Carried with two other covers, this was the contingency cover to be used only if needed. The function of the covers was to block direct sunlight and particulates from entering the Fixed Head Star Tracker during the PCU changeout on the Hubble. The covers were essentially blankets that retracted in window-shade style when not in use, and would be installed on a prior spacewalk during the mission and deployed on the PCU change out day. Cover comes in its original Goddard Space Flight Center shipping case, labelled “FHST 3 Cover Right…S/N 1001,” which was sent to the Kennedy Space Center during flight preparations for a Hubble service mission. In fine condition. Cover is listed in Swales Aerospace Crew Aids and Tools catalog and is accompanied by a Goddard Space Flight Center Flight Hardware Equipment parts tag, with multiple notations by technicians, as well as a JSC Project parts tag, with several notations. Flown Hubble Space Telescope astronaut crew aids and tools have seldom been offered. RR Auction recently sold one of these covers for over $7,000. RR Auction COA.
