Just like any other machine, the Hubble needs occasional repairs. The first mission, in 1993, fixed the Hubble’s mirror. After the Hubble was put in orbit, scientists discovered the mirror was faulty; it produced fuzzy pictures. The 1993 mission added devices to correct the Hubble’s vision. The second mission, in 1997, added new instruments to Hubble’s scientific package. Later repairs replaced parts of the Hubble’s guidance system. Many more missions are planned to upgrade or repair the Hubble. These will allow the telescope to operate with new and better scientific instruments for at least ten more years.

Repairing the Hubble Space Telescope