Hubble Space Telescope orbit
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Hubble Space Telescope Orbit: Altitude and Characteristics
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) was placed into a low Earth orbit at an altitude of approximately 600 km above the Earth's surface, with some sources specifying a circular orbit around 610 km. This altitude was chosen to position Hubble above the Earth's atmosphere, allowing it to avoid atmospheric distortion and achieve much higher resolution in its observations than ground-based telescopes14. The orbit is maintained as a free-flying, remotely controlled satellite, and the telescope does not have its own propulsion system for major orbital adjustments18.
Launch and Deployment in Low Earth Orbit
Hubble was launched and deployed by the Space Shuttle, which was responsible for placing it into its operational orbit. The telescope's orbit was specifically selected to be accessible for servicing missions by the Space Shuttle, enabling astronauts to repair, upgrade, and reboost the telescope as needed1249. Over its operational life, Hubble has benefited from multiple servicing missions, which have extended its lifespan and scientific capabilities29.
Orbital Decay and Re-Entry Considerations
Because Hubble lacks an onboard propulsion system, its orbit gradually decays due to atmospheric drag, even at its high altitude. Without intervention, Hubble is projected to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere around 2027, although this timeline could change depending on future actions or technological developments. Plans and proposals have been made to safely de-orbit Hubble to minimize risks associated with uncontrolled re-entry.
Impact of Orbit on Observations
Hubble's position in low Earth orbit allows it to avoid most of the Earth's atmospheric interference, providing clear and stable views of the universe. However, being in low Earth orbit also means that Hubble is occasionally affected by artificial satellites and space debris, which can cross its field of view and impact observations. The frequency of such satellite trails in Hubble's images has increased over time and is expected to continue rising as more satellites are launched.
Conclusion
The Hubble Space Telescope's orbit, at approximately 600–610 km above Earth, was carefully chosen to maximize scientific return while allowing for human servicing. Its low Earth orbit has enabled decades of groundbreaking astronomical discoveries, though it also presents challenges such as orbital decay and increasing interference from other satellites. As Hubble nears the end of its operational life, considerations for its safe de-orbit are becoming increasingly important1247+2 MORE.
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Hubble telescope 30 years in orbit: personal reflections
The Hubble Space Telescope has made ground-breaking discoveries and has remained in orbit for 30 years, with future space observations assured through major missions planned by NASA, ESA, and the Chinese and Japanese Space Agencies.
The Hubble Space Telescope Before Launch: A Personal Perspective
The Hubble Space Telescope project, aimed at astronomical observations above the earth's atmosphere, has a history, major characteristics, and scientific expectations, with the main mission expected to launch in early 1990.
DOI
THIRD-EPOCH MAGELLANIC CLOUD PROPER MOTIONS. I. HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE/WFC3 DATA AND ORBIT IMPLICATIONS
The three-epoch Hubble Space Telescope data provides accurate proper motions for the Large and Small Magellanic Clouds, constraining their internal dynamics and allowing for a range of orbital periods.
HUBBLE TELESCOPE
The Hubble Space Telescope, developed by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and European Space Agency, will provide accurate measurements of celestial positions with a Fine Guidance Sensor and Astrometric Data Reduction Software package.
DOI