INITIAL ON-ORBIT PERFORMANCE OF NICMOS

On 1997 February 13, Space Shuttle astronauts placed the Near-Infrared Camera and Multiobject Spectrometer (NICMOS) into the Hubble Space Te lescope. Following installation, the servicing mission orbital verific ation program (SMOV) performed extensive testing of the instrument to verify that it can be operated and calibrated effectively. This progra m is essentially completed, and routine science observations have begu n in most of the NICMOS modes of operation. This Letter describes the performance levels of NICMOS at this time.