Hubble Space Telescope

Hubble Space Telescope, orbiting reflecting telescope built to send data from space to astronomers on earth via radio waves. It was released into space on April 25, 1990 from the space shuttle Discovery. It orbits about 360 mi (580 km) above the earth's surface. With information sent to earth from the Hubble Telescope, astronomers hope to learn more about the cosmos, particularly “dark matter,” areas in space that emit little or no light. Unfortunately, the telescope malfunctioned in space due to manufacturing flaws. In 1993 improvements were made, and as a result there has been a constant outpour of useful data. It is expected that the telescope will be able to function until 2005.

See also: Hubble, Edwin Powell; Telescope.