Hubble Timeline

Follow Hubble's journey from an idea of a "Large Space Telescope" to its position as one of the most scientifically productive and beloved telescopes of all time. The timelines below offer an interactive selection of Hubble highlights.

Quick Facts

Hubble's observation of the fragments of comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 hitting Jupiter was the first time astronomers witnessed the collision of two astronomical objects.

Astronauts spent a total of 57 days, 15 hours, 48 minutes and 8 seconds in space on missions to Hubble.

The first Hubble science paper was submitted on October 1, 1990 and dealt with the environment around a suspected black hole in a galaxy's core.

Since launch, Hubble has overcome its troubled beginnings to perform innumerable science observations that have revolutionized humanity’s understanding of the universe. From determining the age of the universe to observing dramatic changes on celestial bodies in our own solar system, Hubble has become one of humanity’s greatest scientific instruments.

The complete timeline below describes Hubble’s history from the first proposal of a space telescope by Lyman Spitzer in 1946, through the completion of Hubble’s five servicing missions in the 1990s and 2000s, and to many of the significant observations and discoveries Hubble has made during its years in orbit.

Full Timeline: Milestones

Hubble pioneers

Edwin Hubble

Astronomer for whom the telescope is named

Lyman Spitzer

Astronomer who first proposed a space-based observatory

Nancy Grace Roman

Astronomer who started NASA's space astronomy program

John Bahcall

Astrophysicist who worked tirelessly for the mission and its scientific design

John Grunsfeld

Astronaut that serviced the telescope on three missions

Focused Timeline: Hubble's Science Discoveries

MEET Hubble SCIENTISTS

Dr. Jennifer Wiseman

Senior Project Scientist

Dr. Ken Carpenter

Operations Project Scientist

Dr. Olivia Lupie

Instrument Systems Manager

Dr. John Grunsfeld

Astronaut that serviced the telescope on three missions

Dr. Andrew Ptak

Deputy Operations Project Scientist

Dr. Richard Barry

Observatory Project Scientist

Focused Timeline: Servicing Missions

Meet the Hubble Astronauts

All Hubble Astronauts

John Grunsfeld

Mission Specialist

Scott Altman

Commander

Charles Bolden

Pilot

Kathryn Thornton

Mission Specialist

Scott Kelly

Pilot

Megan McArthur

Mission Specialist

Claude Nicollier

Mission Specialist

History

Hubble Space Telescope Oral Histories

The NASA History Office collects oral history interviews to document the experiences of individuals who were involved in every aspect of NASA’s programs and missions.

The oral history interviews on the page linked below represent the contributions of a wide selection of individuals involved in the Hubble Space Telescope program, and also include interviews collected by Christopher Gainor for his book, "Not Yet Imagined: A Study of Hubble Space Telescope Operations." This book is available as a free download on our e-book page.

Learn More

Hubble Space Telescope (HST) being assembled in the clean room of the Lockheed Missile Space Company. Hubble's optical tube and instrument housing appear to be suspended from the ceiling. Two people, one on a ladder just below Hubble and another on the ground floor are assembling Hubble. Two other workers are on a catwalk to the left of Hubble in this image. All are in protective suits and hardhats.

This photograph shows Hubble being assembled in the clean room of the Lockheed Missile Space Company. Workers are readying the Optical Telescope Assembly (OTA) for the installation of the AFT shroud. The OTA contains two mirrors, primary and secondary, to collect and focus light from selected celestial objects.

NASA