<P> Hubble is the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts . After launch by Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990 , five subsequent Space Shuttle missions repaired , upgraded , and replaced systems on the telescope , including all five of the main instruments . The fifth mission was initially canceled on safety grounds following the Columbia disaster ( 2003 ) . However , after spirited public discussion , NASA administrator Mike Griffin approved the fifth servicing mission , completed in 2009 . The telescope is operating as of 2018 , and could last until 2030 -- 2040 . Its scientific successor , the James Webb Space Telescope ( JWST ) , is scheduled for launch in March 2021 . </P>
<P> Hubble is the only telescope designed to be serviced in space by astronauts . After launch by Space Shuttle Discovery in 1990 , five subsequent Space Shuttle missions repaired , upgraded , and replaced systems on the telescope , including all five of the main instruments . The fifth mission was initially canceled on safety grounds following the Columbia disaster ( 2003 ) . However , after spirited public discussion , NASA administrator Mike Griffin approved the fifth servicing mission , completed in 2009 . The telescope is operating as of 2018 , and could last until 2030 -- 2040 . Its scientific successor , the James Webb Space Telescope ( JWST ) , is scheduled for launch in March 2021 . </P>
when was the hubble space telescope launched by space shuttle discovery
when was the hubble space telescope launched by space shuttle discovery
1990
1990