The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the most important scientific instruments ever built. If you’ve ever wondered when was Hubble telescope launched, the answer is April 24, 1990. It was carried into orbit by the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-31. This date marked the beginning of a new era in astronomy, but it didn’t start smoothly. The telescope’s initial images were blurry, leading to a dramatic rescue mission that would cement its legendary status.
For over three decades, Hubble has provided stunning views of the cosmos. It has helped pin down the age of the universe and proved the existence of supermassive black holes. Its images are not just for scientists; they have inspired millions of people around the world. This article will look at Hubble’s journey, from its problematic start to its incredible achievements.
When Was Hubble Telescope Launched
The launch on April 24, 1990, was the culmination of decades of planning. The concept of a large space telescope was first seriously proposed in the 1940s. NASA began formal work in the 1970s, with the European Space Agency (ESA) joining later. The project faced numerous delays and budget overruns, pushing the launch date back several times.
Finally, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the shuttle Discovery roared into the sky. The deployment of Hubble from the shuttle’s cargo bay was a tense and careful operation. Astronauts used the shuttle’s robotic arm to lift the telescope and release it into space. The initial cheers, however, were soon replaced by concern.
The Initial Problem: A Flawed Mirror
About six weeks after launch, the first images came back. Scientists quickly realized something was terribly wrong. The images were fuzzy and lacked the sharp clarity expected. After investigation, the problem was found: Hubble’s primary mirror had a flaw called spherical aberration. The mirror’s edges were ground too flat by a mere 1/50th the thickness of a human hair, but that was enough to ruin the focus.
This was a huge embarrasment for NASA and a major setback. The telescope, costing billions, seemed crippled. However, engineers had designed Hubble with servicing in mind. This foresight allowed for a solution. A team was assembled to design and build a set of corrective optics, essentially eyeglasses for the telescope.
The First Servicing Mission: A Rescue in Space
In December 1993, the Space Shuttle Endeavour embarked on a critical mission: STS-61. It was one of the most complex shuttle missions ever attempted. Astronauts conducted a series of five grueling spacewalks. They installed the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR) and a new camera, the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2).
The success of this mission was breathaking. The first test images were crystal clear. The rescue was a massive public relations victory and a testament to human ingenuity. Hubble was finally ready to fulfill its promise.
Key Instruments and Capabilities
Hubble isn’t just a camera. It’s a versatile observatory equipped with several scientific instruments. These tools allow it to capture different types of light and data. Over the years, instruments have been upgraded during servicing missions.
* Cameras: Like the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) and Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), these take the stunning pictures we see.
* Spectrographs: Instruments like the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph break down light from objects to reveal their temperature, composition, and motion.
* Fine Guidance Sensors: These help lock onto stars with incredible precision, allowing for stable observations.
Hubble orbits Earth at an altitude of about 547 kilometers (340 miles). It travels at roughly 27,000 kilometers per hour, completing an orbit every 95 minutes. This position above Earth’s distorting atmosphere gives it its unparalleled view.
Major Scientific Contributions
Hubble’s impact on science cannot be overstated. It has contributed to almost every area of astronomy. Here are some of its biggest achievements:
* Pinpointing the Age of the Universe: By measuring the brightness of pulsating stars, Hubble helped determine the universe is about 13.8 billion years old.
* Mapping Dark Matter: Hubble helped create maps showing the distribution of dark matter, the invisible stuff that makes up most of the universe’s mass.
* Studying Galaxy Evolution: Its deep field images show galaxies forming in the early universe, helping us understand how they change over time.
* Observing Exoplanet Atmospheres: Hubble was the first telescope to directly analyze the atmosphere of a planet around another star.
* Monitoring Our Solar System: It has provided detailed weather reports for planets and tracked comet and asteroid impacts.
Later Servicing Missions and Upgrades
After the first rescue, four more servicing missions were conducted. Each one extended Hubble’s life and power. Astronauts replaced aging batteries, gyroscopes, and scientific instruments. They installed newer, more advanced cameras and spectrographs. The last servicing mission was in 2009 (STS-125), which left Hubble in its most capable state ever. Since the retirement of the Space Shuttle, no further servicing has been possible, but Hubble continues to operate remarkably well.
The Legacy of Hubble’s Images
Beyond raw data, Hubble’s greatest gift may be its beauty. It has produced thousands of iconic images that have become part of our culture. These pictures do more than just look pretty; they tell stories of cosmic drama.
* The Pillars of Creation: This famous image shows towering columns of gas and dust in the Eagle Nebula, where new stars are being born.
* The Hubble Deep Field: By staring at a seemingly empty patch of sky for days, Hubble revealed thousands of galaxies, each a island of stars.
* The Butterfly Nebula: A dying star ejecting its outer layers in a beautiful, symmetrical pattern.
These images help the public connect with the science. They remind us of our place in a vast and amazing universe. They have inspired countless students to pursue careers in science and engineering.
Hubble’s Future and Successor
Hubble is still operating today, though it shows signs of aging. Its gyroscopes, which help it point steadily, have been a recurring issue. NASA has developed innovative ways to operate the telescope with fewer gyros, extending its life. The goal is to keep it functioning alongside its more powerful successor.
That successor is the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). Launched in December 2021, Webb is designed to see primarily in infrared light. This allows it to look even farther back in time to see the first galaxies. While Webb is more powerful in many ways, Hubble sees in ultraviolet and visible light, which remains crucial for many types of observations. The two telescopes are complementary, working together to give us a fuller picture of the cosmos.
How You Can Access Hubble Data
Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a NASA scientist to use Hubble data. A lot of the information is publicly available.
1. Visit the official Hubble Space Telescope website run by NASA and ESA.
2. Explore the “Gallery” section for the latest and greatest images.
3. For the more technically minded, scientific data is archived at the Mikulski Archive for Space Telescopes (MAST).
4. Amateur astronomers and even students have made discoveries using this public data.
Common Misconceptions About Hubble
There are a few common mistakes people make about the telescope.
* It’s not the only space telescope. Many others, like Chandra (X-rays) and Spitzer (infrared), have operated alongside it.
* It doesn’t have the “best” zoom. Its power comes from its sensitivity and clarity, not magnification.
* It won’t fall to Earth immediately when retired. NASA has a plan for a controlled de-orbit, likely in the 2030s, to safely dispose of it over an ocean.
Why Hubble Still Matters Today
In an age of newer telescopes like JWST, Hubble remains incredibly valuable. Its long baseline of observations is unique. For example, watching a nebula change over 20 years or tracking storms on Neptune for decades provides insights that a new telescope can’t get instantly. Hubble’s consistency has created a priceless long-term record of the universe. Its continued operation is a fantastic boon to science.
The story of Hubble is a human story. It’s about ambition, a very public failure, and a brilliant recovery. It shows what we can achieve with perseverance and creativity. The answer to “when was Hubble telescope launched” is just the start of a much bigger tale. From its shaky beginings, it became a window to the universe, changing our understanding of almost everything in it. Its legacy of discovery and inspiration will endure long after its final observation.
FAQ Section
When exactly was the Hubble telescope launched?
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24, 1990, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery.
What was the main problem after Hubble’s launch?
The main problem was a flaw in its primary mirror, known as spherical aberration, which caused blurry images until it was fixed by astronauts in 1993.
How was the Hubble telescope fixed?
It was fixed during the first servicing mission (STS-61) in 1993. Astronauts installed a corrective optics package (COSTAR) and a new camera with built-in correction.
Is the Hubble telescope still in space?
Yes, Hubble is still operational and orbiting Earth at an altitude of about 340 miles. It continues to send back scientific data and images.
What will replace the Hubble telescope?
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is considered Hubble’s scientific successor. However, Hubble is unique in its capabilities and continues to work alongside Webb.
Can I see the Hubble telescope from Earth?
Yes, you can! Hubble is visible from the ground as a fast-moving point of light. Websites like NASA’s “Spot the Station” can tell you when it will pass over your location.
Who built the Hubble telescope?
Hubble was built by NASA with significant contributions from the European Space Agency (ESA). Several contractors, including Lockheed and Perkin-Elmer, were involved in its construction.
How much did the Hubble telescope cost?
The initial development cost was about $4.7 billion. Factoring in servicing missions and inflation, the total cost to date is estimated to be over $10 billion, but its scientific return has been priceless.