QUESTION: How high will they have to boost Hubble in 1999?
ANSWER from Bill Ochs 4/16/96

In 1999, the Space Shuttle will have to raise the Hubble Space Telescope 
up about 18.5 miles.  Raising the Hubble up is called a reboost and is 
done by using the Shuttle's engines.  The reboost procedure poses no risk 
to the Space Shuttle because the Hubble is locked in place and can't 
move.  The only risk to Hubble are the Solar Arrays.  The Solar Arrays 
are those things on the side of Hubble that look like wings.  They are 
used to convert sun light into electrical power.  Our current Solar 
Arrays are very flexible and so there is some risk to possibily damaging 
them.  In 1999, we are going to replace those flexible Solar Arrays with 
ones that are stiff.  This will get rid of any risk of damaging Hubble 
from a reboost.

Also, in 1997 we are trying to determine a way to do a small reboost of 
about 3.5 to 6 miles using a special combination of Shuttle engines. 
Because the reboost is small, the Solar Arrays would not be damaged.

Thanks for your interest and Best of Luck,

Bill