NASA named the world’s first space-based optical telescope after American astronomer Edwin P. Hubble (1889 — 1953). Dr. Hubble confirmed an “expanding” universe, which provided the foundation for the big-bang theory.

Mission

• Launch: April 24, 1990, from space shuttle Discovery (STS-31)
• Deployment: April 25, 1990
• First Image: May 20, 1990: Star cluster NGC 3532
• Servicing Mission 1 (STS-61): December 1993
• Servicing Mission 2 (STS-82): February 1997
• Servicing Mission 3A (STS-103): December 1999
• Servicing Mission 3B (STS-109): February 2002
• Servicing Mission 4 (STS-125): May 2009

Size

• Length: 43.5 feet (13.2 m)
• Weight: At Launch:  about 24,000 pounds (10,886 kg)
• Post SM4:  about 27,000 pounds (12,247 kg)
• Maximum Diameter: 14 feet (4.2 m)

Spaceflight Statistics

• ​Low Earth Orbit: Altitude of 340 miles (295 nautical miles, or 547 km), inclined 28.5 degrees to the equator
• Time to Complete One Orbit: about 95 minutes
• Speed: about 17,000 mph (27,300 kph)

Optical Capabilities

• Sensitivity to Light: Ultraviolet through Infrared (115–2500 nanometers)

Hubble’s Mirrors

• Primary Mirror Diameter: 94.5 inches (2.4 m)
• Primary Mirror Weight: 1,825 pounds (828 kg)
• Secondary Mirror Diameter: 12 inches (0.3 m)
• Secondary Mirror Weight: 27.4 pounds (12.3 kg)

Pointing Accuracy

• In order to take images of distant, faint objects, Hubble must be extremely steady and accurate. The telescope is able to lock onto a target without deviating more than 7/1000th of an arcsecond, or about the width of a human hair seen at a distance of 1 mile.

Data Statistics

• Hubble transmits about 150 gigabits of raw science data every week.

Power Needs

• Energy Source: The Sun
• Mechanism: Two 25-foot solar panels
• Power Generation (in Sunlight): about 5,500 watts
• Power Usage (Average): about 2,100 watts

Power Storage

• Batteries: 6 nickel-hydrogen (NiH)
• Storage Capacity: Equal to about 22 average car batteries.

Below some of the amazing images sent by the Hubble telescope

Source

NASA