The Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope

The Hubble Space Telescope is the greatest piece of equipment of its kind ever assembled by mankind. It is to space exploration what the invention of the wheel was to the progress of modern industry. This one endeavor may have done more for the development of modern astronomy than all previous efforts combined. The telescope derives its name from the famous space astronomer Edwin Hubble. The Hubble Space Telescope produces extremely vivid photos due to the fact that it sets beyond the earth's distorting field of gravity.

Conspicuous Beginnings

The funding for Hubble arrived in the 1970's yet it was not launched until 1990. The entire existence of the space telescope was seriously threatened right from the beginning when it was discovered that the main reflector mirror was faulty from production. It wasn't restored to working order until 1993. It went from those rough beginnings however, to being responsible for amazing breakthroughs in astrophysics. Because of Hubble scientist today are able to determine the universes' rate of expansion. This is due to fact that it produces the most detailed Visible-light images ever seen of distant objects in deep space.

A Predecessor is Made

There have been four servicing missions for this the only space telescope ever designed to be maintained in space by astronauts. The last mission was controversial in the wake of the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster. It was approved however and executed 2009. Hubble is scheduled to be retired in 2014 to be replaced by the James Webb Space Telescope.

Even though there were serious setbacks to the program in the beginning, the Hubble Space Telescope has more than delivered on its promises since then. Humanity's understanding of the universe it comes from has increased a thousand fold since its beginnings. The costs to operate such an endeavor are staggering and must be shared globally. This is as it should be however, considering that all of humanity has benefited from its findings. There have been literally hundreds of planets discovered since Hubble first started sending images back to the earth's surface. Many of these are suspected of being able to support life.

actually i love hubble

what about you?

^_^