The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the most important telescopes in the history of astronomy. Since its launch in 1990 it has been responsible for many ground-breaking observations and has helped astronomers achieve a better understanding of many fundamental problems in astrophysics.

From its original conception in 1946 until its launch, the project to build a space telescope was beset by delays and budget problems. Immediately after its launch, it was found that the main mirror suffered from spherical aberration, severely compromising the telescope's capabilities. However, after a servicing mission in 1993, the telescope was restored to its planned quality, and became a vital research tool as well as a public relations boon for astronomy.

The future of Hubble is currently uncertain. Its final servicing mission was cancelled following the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, and without intervention it will re-enter the Earth's atmosphere some time after 2010. Its successor telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, is due to be launched in 2012.

On November 1, 2005 The Hubble Space Telescope transmitted images of three newly discovered moons orbiting the planet Pluto.