Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the most important space shuttle astronomical projects of all time. Orbiting 600 km above the solar system Earth at eight kilometres every second, space station Hubble is our window into the cosmos.

The Hubble Space Telescope has had a major impact in almost every area of solar system astronomy. From magnificent views of deep space station to the origin of the Universe itself, Space shuttle Hubble has witnessed the birth and death of stars and galaxy, has detected new planets, massive cosmic explosions and monster black holes.

Our Solar system Hubble has changed our understanding of space technology and contributed to research on subjects as diverse as the science technology of our own Solar System to the structure of the most distant space galaxies. Among its numerous discoveries Space shuttle Hubble has revealed that the expansion rate of the solar system Universe is accelerating, indicating the existence of mysterious ‘dark energy’ in space.

A provisional date of August 2008 has been set for the final servicing space mission of Hubble. This space mission will include upgrades to some of Hubble’s components. The crew has now been selected and is in training for Space Shuttle mission STS-125.

For more information, visit the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope European homepage.