With more than 18 years of historic and trailblazing science already accomplished, Hubble will be reborn with Servicing Mission 4 (SM4), targeted for August 28, 2008. Astronauts will use the Shuttle to bring new cutting-edge science instruments to enhance Hubble's capabilities by large factors, as well as gyros, batteries and other crucial devices to further its continued success through the year 2013.

Tasks of SM4: Install WFC3 - Wide Field Camera 3 A high-resolution/wide-field camera with continuous coverage of wavelengths or colors of light from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared. + Read more Install COS - Cosmic Origins Spectrograph The most sensitive ultraviolet spectrograph ever planned to fly on HST. + Read more Repair STIS - Restore the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph to operational status. + Read more Repair ACS - Restore critical scientific functionality to the Advanced Camera for Surveys.. Replace Rate Sensor Units (gyroscopes) Complete change-out of all six gyroscopes, the heart of HST's pointing system, and HST's main wear-out items. + Read more FGS - Fine Guidance Sensor Last in a series of changed-out units that allow fine pointing of HST.  + Read more Replace Batteries Replace the six batteries originally launched with Hubble in 1990, which are steadily losing capacity as they age. + Read more Install Soft Capture and Rendezvous System Install the Soft Capture and Rendezvous System on the bottom of Hubble to enable NASA to pursue options for the safe disposal of Hubble. New Outer Blanket Layers (NOBLs) Install three NOBL covers to thermally protect the exterior blankets and maintain normal operating temperatures of Hubble's electronic equipment.