# Hubble Space Telescope

> NASA and ESA space telescope (launched 1990)

**Wikidata**: [Q2513](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2513)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hubble_Space_Telescope)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hubble-space-telescope

## Summary
The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope launched in 1990 by NASA and ESA for observing distant space objects. It is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center and the Space Telescope Science Institute.

## Key Facts
*   The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24, 1990.
*   It is funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA).
*   The telescope is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center (spacecraft) and the Space Telescope Science Institute (payload).
*   Its launch mass was approximately 11,110 kilograms in April 1990, increasing to approximately 12,247 kilograms after the STS-125 servicing mission in May 2009.
*   The primary mirror has a diameter of 2.40 meters and an area of 4.525 square meters.
*   The telescope is 13.25 meters long and has a spacecraft diameter of 4.2 meters.
*   It orbits Earth in a low Earth orbit, completing an orbit every 94.87 minutes.
*   The Hubble Space Telescope is named after Edwin Hubble, a naming that occurred in 1983.
*   It is part of the Great Observatories program.
*   Its atmospheric entry is expected in 2030.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the Hubble Space Telescope?
A: The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope developed by NASA and ESA, launched in 1990. It is designed to observe distant space objects from its orbit around Earth.

### Q: Who operates the Hubble Space Telescope?
A: The Hubble Space Telescope is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center, which manages the spacecraft, and the Space Telescope Science Institute, which manages the payload.

### Q: When was the Hubble Space Telescope launched?
A: The Hubble Space Telescope was launched on April 24, 1990, at 12:33:52 UTC. It was carried into space by the Space Shuttle Discovery during the STS-31 mission.

### Q: What is the mass of the Hubble Space Telescope?
A: The Hubble Space Telescope had a launch mass of approximately 11,110 kilograms in April 1990. After the STS-125 servicing mission in May 2009, its mass was approximately 12,247 kilograms.

### Q: What is the primary mirror diameter of the Hubble Space Telescope?
A: The primary mirror of the Hubble Space Telescope has a diameter of 2.40 meters.

## Why It Matters
The Hubble Space Telescope is a significant instrument in space exploration and astronomy, serving as a key platform for observing distant space objects from outer space. Its development and operation by major space agencies like NASA and ESA highlight its importance in scientific research. As part of the Great Observatories program, it contributes to a broader understanding of the universe. The telescope's long operational life, extended through multiple servicing missions conducted by the Space Shuttle, demonstrates a sustained commitment to its scientific output. Its ability to provide observations from low Earth orbit, free from atmospheric distortion, has made it a crucial tool for astronomical discovery since its launch in 1990, with operations expected to continue until at least 2030.

## Notable For
*   **Joint International Endeavor**: Developed and funded by both NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) and ESA (European Space Agency).
*   **Long-Term Servicing Missions**: Underwent multiple servicing missions (STS-61, STS-82, STS-103, STS-109, STS-125) by the Space Shuttle, significantly extending its operational lifespan and capabilities.
*   **Part of the Great Observatories Program**: Designated as one of NASA's Great Observatories, a program of four large, powerful space-based telescopes designed to observe the universe across different wavelengths.
*   **Pioneering Space Telescope**: One of the earliest and most prominent space telescopes, launched in 1990, establishing a long legacy of space-based astronomical observation.
*   **Named After Edwin Hubble**: Honoring the renowned American astronomer Edwin Hubble, who played a crucial role in establishing the field of extragalactic astronomy.

## Body

### Overview
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST), also known by aliases such as Hubble and Large Space Telescope, is a space telescope funded by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). It was launched on April 24, 1990, at 12:33:52 UTC, from the Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B, aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery (mission STS-31). The telescope was deployed on April 25, 1990, and entered service on May 20, 1990, which also marked its "first light" event. It is classified as a space telescope and is part of the Great Observatories program. The telescope was named after Edwin Hubble in 1983.

### Technical Specifications
*   **Length**: 13.25 meters
*   **Spacecraft Diameter**: 4.2 meters
*   **Primary Mirror Diameter**: 2.40 meters
*   **Secondary Mirror Diameter**: 0.31 meters
*   **Primary Mirror Area**: 4.525 square meters
*   **Secondary Mirror Area**: 0.0754 square meters
*   **Focal Length**: 57.6 meters
*   **Launch Mass (April 1990)**: Approximately 11,110 kilograms
*   **Mass (May 2009, STS-125)**: Approximately 12,247 kilograms
*   **Power Source**: Two spacecraft solar arrays (5500 watts peak, 2100 watts average) and six nickel–hydrogen batteries.
*   **Telescope Type**: Ritchey–Chrétien telescope

### Operations and Orbit
The Hubble Space Telescope operates in a low Earth orbit, orbiting the Earth. As of June 26, 2024, it has completed 67,869 orbits.
*   **Apoapsis**: 514.3 kilometers
*   **Periapsis**: 510.2 kilometers
*   **Orbital Period**: 94.87 minutes
*   **Orbital Inclination**: 28.4687 degrees
*   **Orbital Eccentricity**: 0.0003021
*   **Semi-major Axis**: 6890.4 kilometers

The spacecraft is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center, while the payload is operated by the Space Telescope Science Institute. The spacecraft was developed by Marshall Space Flight Center, and the space instruments and ground segment were developed by Goddard Space Flight Center. Lockheed Martin Missiles and Space served as the general contractor for the spacecraft, and PerkinElmer was a subcontractor for the telescope and fine guidance sensor. The launch contractor was Rockwell International.

### Key Events and Servicing Missions
*   **Launch**: April 24, 1990, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39B, via Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-31).
*   **Deployment**: April 25, 1990.
*   **First Light / Service Entry**: May 20, 1990.
*   **Servicing Mission 1 (STS-61)**: December 2, 1993 – December 13, 1993.
*   **Servicing Mission 2 (STS-82)**: February 11, 1997 – February 21, 1997.
*   **Servicing Mission 3A (STS-103)**: December 20, 1999 – December 28, 1999.
*   **Servicing Mission 3B (STS-109)**: March 1, 2002 – March 12, 2002.
*   **Servicing Mission 4 (STS-125)**: May 11, 2009 – May 24, 2009.
*   **Expected Atmospheric Entry**: 2030.

### Scientific Instrumentation
The Hubble Space Telescope carries various scientific instruments:
*   **Wide Field and Planetary Camera**: Operated from April 1990 to December 1993.
*   **Goddard High Resolution Spectrograph**: Operated from April 1990 to February 1997.
*   **High Speed Photometer**: Operated from April 1990 to December 1993.
*   **Faint Object Camera**: Operated from April 1990 to March 2002.
*   **Faint Object Spectrograph**: Operated from April 1990 to February 1997.
*   **Fine Guidance Sensor**: Three units, operational since April 1990.
*   **Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2**: Operated from December 1993 to May 2009.
*   **Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement**: Operated from December 1993 to May 2009.
*   **Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer**: Operational since February 1997.
*   **Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph**: Operational since February 1997.

## References

1. [Source](http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/images/shuttle/sts-125/html/s125e012033.html)
2. [1990](https://mix.msfc.nasa.gov/abstracts.php?p=1711)
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8. Jonathan's Space Report
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19. [Source](https://heavens-above.com/orbit.aspx?satid=20580)
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22. [Source](https://snl.no/Hubble-romteleskopet)
23. [Source](https://asd.gsfc.nasa.gov/archive/hubble/a_pdf/news/SM2-MediaGuide.pdf)
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26. [Source](https://naif.jpl.nasa.gov/pub/naif/toolkit_docs/C/req/naif_ids.html)
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