What type of orbit does the Hubble Space Telescope use?

The Hubble Space Telescope uses a low Earth orbit. It circles Earth at an altitude of roughly 540 kilometres, completing one revolution in about 95 minutes.

Hubble was placed in low Earth orbit so astronauts aboard Space Shuttles could reach it for servicing missions. Between 1993 and 2009, shuttle crews visited the telescope five times to replace instruments, gyroscopes, batteries, insulation, and other equipment. This accessibility was a crucial part of Hubble’s original mission design.

The orbit is not geostationary, because Hubble moves rapidly around Earth rather than remaining above one fixed point. It is also not a polar orbit: its inclination is about 28.5 degrees, so it does not pass over both poles. “Low Earth orbit” describes the altitude and orbital regime, while the inclination describes the orbit’s tilt relative to Earth’s equator.

Being close to Earth has trade-offs. Hubble’s view is periodically blocked by Earth, and the telescope must avoid bright light from the Sun, Moon, and Earth. It also passes through the South Atlantic Anomaly, where increased radiation can interfere with observations and instruments.