Hubble Space Telescope

A full-size test version of the Hubble Space Telescope in the Space Race Gallery.

The Hubble Space Telescope is the largest astronomical telescope ever sent into space. It was launched in 1990 from Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-31 mission.

From its vantage point above Earth's obscuring atmosphere, the telescope is providing astronomers with fascinating new information on the state of the universe.

The Hubble Space Telescope was designed to be delivered into orbit by the Space Shuttle and to be serviced periodically in space by Shuttle astronauts.

The first servicing and repair mission was conducted in 1993 by the crew of STS-61 on Space Shuttle Endeavour.