Discover Why the Hubble Telescope is the ‘Energizer Bunny of Spacecraft’—Insights from an Astronaut Visitor

John Grunsfeld keeps a model of the Hubble Space Telescope on his bookshelf, alongside a model of a NASA space shuttle. Both icons remind us of space exploration history. Grunsfeld, a former NASA astronaut and chief scientist, played a crucial role in ensuring Hubble’s longevity. He was part of three of the five missions that repaired the telescope, including the final servicing flight in 2009. At that time, NASA estimated Hubble would continue to operate for at least five more years, but it’s now been 16 years since its last call for service.

“Thanks to all the missions leading up to 2009, Hubble is still at the forefront of space observation,” Grunsfeld said. “Knock on wood, it might last another decade. It won’t be its instruments failing; it’ll be its position in the atmosphere.” He humorously dubbed Hubble the “Energizer bunny of spacecraft.”

But Hubble’s journey wasn’t always smooth. After its 1990 launch, the telescope’s first images were blurry due to a mirror flaw. This “spherical aberration” prompted a repair mission, STS-61, by astronauts in 1993, which fundamentally transformed Hubble into a successful observatory. Grunsfeld, at that time an X-ray astronomer, noted how he initially doubted Hubble’s impact. Ironically, he realized it had become essential to various astronomical studies.

The STS-61 mission not only corrected Hubble’s vision but replaced crucial components, like gyroscopes and solar arrays. Subsequent missions added more upgrades, dramatically improving Hubble’s capabilities. For example, its main camera was upgraded to the Wide Field Planetary Camera 3 during the last servicing flight in 2009.

Grunsfeld recounts a memorable repair during STS-125: astronauts had to manually pry a stuck handrail off the telescope to fix an essential instrument. Such intense challenges showcase the ingenuity and bravery of the astronauts and the extensive planning by engineers on Earth.

Unfortunately, the future of Hubble is uncertain. While no servicing missions are currently planned, there have been proposals by private companies for a final visit to reboost Hubble’s orbit. However, budget cuts could limit these efforts. NASA has added docking mechanisms to Hubble, allowing for mid-space interventions in the future.

Despite these uncertainties, Hubble has made monumental scientific contributions. It has helped confirm the existence of black holes and provided insights into the universe’s age. Notably, in 1994, it captured the spectacular event of comet shoemaker-Levy 9 colliding with Jupiter. “We saw that right away,” Grunsfeld recalls, highlighting Hubble’s capacity to observe dynamic cosmic events.

Today, Hubble continues to work alongside the James Webb Space Telescope, launched in December 2021. Their combined capabilities are paving the way for groundbreaking discoveries. Grunsfeld believes Hubble has never been more relevant, stating, “The science case is even stronger with both telescopes working in sync.”

For many, Hubble symbolizes the beauty of our universe. More than half the world has never lived in a time without it. As Grunsfeld aptly puts it, “Hubble is NASA’s best ambassador.” Its intricate images and findings continue to inspire curiosity and wonder about the cosmos.

For more information about Hubble’s history and mission updates, visit [NASA’s official website](https://www.nasa.gov) or check detailed analyses on [space.com](https://www.space.com).

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