Hubble’s Data Pipeline

This image illustrates the path that science and engineering information from the Hubble Space Telescope takes from space to Earth. After Hubble observes a target, it transmits the information through the high-gain antennas. The Tracking and Data Relay Satellites and the White Sands Complex relay the signals to NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Once checked for quality, the data is sent on to the Space Telescope Science Institute for calibration, archiving and distribution.