Lessons Learned from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Contamination Control Program

Over the past two decades, the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) contamination control program has evolved from a ground-based integration program to a space-based science-sustaining program. The contamination controls from new-generation scientific instruments and orbital replacement units were incorporated into the HST contamination control program to maintain scientific capability over the life of the telescope. Long-term, on-orbit scientific data have shown that the contamination controls implemented for the instruments, servicing mission activities (Orbiter, astronauts, and mission), and on-orbit operations successfully protected the HST from contamination and the instruments from self-contamination.