Hubble

The Hubble Space Telescope (Hubble) is a space-based observatory launched in 1990 and operated by NASA with the European Space Agency. Named after Edwin P. Hubble, its mission is to observe faint, distant objects with high resolution above Earth's atmosphere, enabling precise measurements of the universe.

Hubble features a 2.4-meter primary mirror and instruments that observe in ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths. It orbits roughly 547 kilometers above Earth, providing long, unobstructed exposures. Early on, a spherical aberration in the mirror affected initial data, but corrective optics were installed during servicing missions in the 1990s to restore full capability, and subsequent upgrades expanded its scientific reach.

Since its deployment, Hubble has made foundational contributions across astronomy. It produced iconic deep-field images, resolved details in distant galaxies, and helped refine the cosmic distance ladder and the expansion rate of the universe. It has studied star formation regions, the structure of galaxies, and the atmospheres of some exoplanets. Data from Hubble continues to be used in research and education, with the telescope remaining productive after more than three decades in service.

Hubble is one of NASA's most enduring scientific assets and a symbol of international collaboration with ESA. In the broader context of space astronomy, it anticipated and complemented later missions, including the James Webb Space Telescope, by demonstrating the enduring value of space-based optical observations.