Hubble’s Legacy: Reflections by Those Who Dreamed It, Built It, and Observed the Universe with It-Quality Guarantee

Description

The development and operation of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) haveresulted in many rich legacies, most particularly in science andtechnology—but in culture as well. It is also the first telescope inspace that has been utilized as effectively as if it were situated on amountaintop here on earth, accessible for repair and improvement whenneeded. This book, which includes contributions from historians ofscience, key scientists and administrators, and one of the principalastronauts who led many of the servicing missions, is meant to capturethe history of this iconic instrument. The book covers three basicphases of HST’s history and legacy: (1) conceiving and selling the ideaof a large orbiting optical telescope to astronomers, the NationalAeronautics and Space Administration, and the U.S. Congress, itscreation as the HST, and its definition as a serviceable mission; (2)its launch, the discovery of the flawed mirror, the engineering of themirror fix, subsequent servicing missions, decisions on upgrades, andthe controversy over a “final” servicing mission; and (3) HST’s publicimage after launch—how the mirror fix changed its public image, how theHST then changed the way we visualize the universe, and how the publicsaved the final HST servicing mission. Collectively, this work offers ameasured assessment of the HST and its contributions to science overmore than 23 years. It brings together contributions from scholars,engineers, scientists, and astronauts to form an integrated story and toassess the long-term results from the mission.