Which space telescope, launched in 1990, was named after the astronomer who discovered the expansion of the universe?

The Hubble Space Telescope, launched in 1990, was named after astronomer Edwin Hubble, who helped establish that the universe is expanding.

Hubble launched aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery on 24 April 1990 and was deployed into low Earth orbit the following day. Its position above most of Earth’s atmosphere allows it to obtain exceptionally sharp images in visible, ultraviolet, and near-infrared light. The telescope has observed galaxies, nebulae, star formation, planets, and distant supernovae.

An initial flaw in its primary mirror produced blurry images. Engineers corrected the problem during the 1993 servicing mission by installing corrective optics and upgraded instruments. Several later shuttle missions repaired and modernized Hubble, extending its scientific life.

Hubble’s name honors Edwin Hubble, but the telescope did not discover the expansion of the universe. Hubble’s observations in the 1920s built on work by Georges Lemaître and others. The James Webb Space Telescope, launched in 2021, complements Hubble with stronger infrared capabilities.