The Future of Air Traffic Control

Hubble gets $1 Billion Overhaul: New Crystal Clear Pictures

Picture above: Two galaxies collide

The astronauts left behind a refurbished Hubble that scientists say is better than ever and should keep churning out pictures of the universe for another five to 10 years. They carried out five spacewalks to give the 19-year-old observatory new science instruments, pointing devices and batteries, and fix a pair of broken instruments, something never before attempted. The replacement camera and other new instruments will enable Hubble to peer deeper into the universe, to within 500 million to 600 million years of creation.

In 2013 Hubble will be replaced by the James Webb Space Telescope, and in 2020 the Hubble will become space junk that astronauts will steer to fall somewhere in the Pacific Ocean.

You can see some of Hubble’s newest pictures in the photo album link on the right side of the page. The pictures maintain great clarity because the space telescope is outside earth’s atmosphere.

To stay updated on what Hubble's up to, follow the link below.

 http://hubblesite.org/gallery/album/

By: Amber Markham, Air Traffic Controller