... 17.08.1997 . ... Credit Copyright: STS-35 Crew, NASA Explanation: In December of 1990, the Space Shuttle Columbia carried an array of astronomical telescopes high above the Earth's obscuring atmosphere to observe the Universe at ultraviolet and x-ray wavelengths. The telescopes, known by the acronyms UIT , HUT , WUPPE , and BBXRT , are seen here in Columbia's payload bay against a spectacular view of the constellation Orion . ... NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers . ...