Flown Solar Array Bistem Brace, SN 1002, flown a total of three times, including Columbia’s last successful mission. The brace is constructed of aluminum and stainless steel comprised of three telescoping tubes with solar array interfaces at both ends of the tool and measures 112″ long. The Bistem Braces (three telescoping tubes with solar array interfaces at both ends of the tool) were designed to provide (on orbit) structural support in the event of a bent or distorted HST Solar Array II. Serial Numbers 1001-1008 flew on STS-82 (Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 2 (HST SM2)) aboard the space shuttle, Discovery, in February 1997. They were located on the underside of the Second Axial Carrier (SAC). Serial Numbers 1001-1008 flew a second time aboard Discovery for the STS-103 (HST SM3A) mission in December 1999 and were mounted on the Orbital Replacement Unit Carrier (ORUC). Finally, Serial Numbers 1001-1004 flew on STS-109 (HST SM3B) aboard Columbia in March 2002. These were mounted on the Rigid Array Carrier (RAC). None of the Bistem Braces were ever needed during the three mission EVAs. In fine condition. Cover is listed in Swales Aerospace Crew Aids and Tools catalog. Swales Aerospace made a total of only nine Solar Array Bistem Brace tools ever, per NASA contract, for the Hubble program office at Goddard Space Flight Center, MD. A large and important contingency piece for the Hubble, exposed three times to the rigors of space. RRAuction COA.
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