1990: Hubble reaches orbit
Launch began a programme that would also depend on repair and renewal.
Event period: 1990 CE — separate from publication date
Also known as: Hubble · telescope
A telescope above the atmosphere
Hubble entered orbit in 1990. Its early images exposed spherical aberration in the primary mirror: incoming light did not focus as intended.
Designed for another visit
The observatory could be serviced in space. In 1993, astronauts installed WFPC2 and COSTAR to compensate for the optical problem. The launch and the repair belong to separate points on the timeline.
Claims and evidence
Hubble was deployed in 1990; corrective instruments were installed during the 1993 servicing mission.
Sources
- Servicing Mission 1 — NASA
Overview, primary-mirror flaw, WFPC2, COSTAR and December 1993 servicing.
Source accessed 2026-10-28
