Program archive

Space Observatories

Hubble and Webb pair complementary wavelength ranges and radically different operating architectures to reveal the evolving universe, stars, planets, and nearby worlds.

Missions: 1
People: 0
Vehicles: 1

Explore this program

Choose a path through the Space Observatories archive.

Currently viewing · Overview

Observatories above the atmosphere

Hubble and Webb pair complementary wavelength ranges and radically different operating architectures to reveal the evolving universe, stars, planets, and nearby worlds.

Program details2021–presentNASA · ESA · CSA · international science community

Flight record1 flight1 robotic or uncrewed

First flown missionJames Webb Space TelescopeDecember 25, 2021

James Webb Space Telescope mission insignia

Core capabilities

Unobstructed observing

Works above atmospheric turbulence and wavelength absorption.

Broad spectrum

Hubble covers ultraviolet through near-infrared; Webb extends deeply into infrared.

Precision instruments

Combines large mirrors with cameras, spectrographs, coronagraphs, and fine guidance.

Complementary operations

Hubble's low-Earth-orbit view and Webb's cold L2 environment support different science.

Program story

Hubble launched aboard Discovery in 1990 as a general-purpose observatory designed for astronaut servicing. Five Shuttle servicing missions repaired, maintained, and repeatedly upgraded its instruments.

Webb launched in 2021 and unfolded a segmented mirror and multilayer sunshield before entering an orbit around Sun-Earth L2. Its cold infrared system reaches through dust and farther into cosmic history.

Together the observatories cover a wide wavelength range and often study the same targets from different physical perspectives, connecting ultraviolet, visible, and infrared evidence.

Program archive

Space Observatories

Hubble and Webb pair complementary wavelength ranges and radically different operating architectures to reveal the evolving universe, stars, planets, and nearby worlds.

Missions: 1
People: 0
Vehicles: 1

Explore this program

Choose a path through the Space Observatories archive.

Currently viewing · Overview

Observatories above the atmosphere

Hubble and Webb pair complementary wavelength ranges and radically different operating architectures to reveal the evolving universe, stars, planets, and nearby worlds.

Program details2021–presentNASA · ESA · CSA · international science community

Flight record1 flight1 robotic or uncrewed

First flown missionJames Webb Space TelescopeDecember 25, 2021

Core capabilities

Unobstructed observing

Works above atmospheric turbulence and wavelength absorption.

Broad spectrum

Hubble covers ultraviolet through near-infrared; Webb extends deeply into infrared.

Precision instruments

Combines large mirrors with cameras, spectrographs, coronagraphs, and fine guidance.

Complementary operations

Hubble's low-Earth-orbit view and Webb's cold L2 environment support different science.

Program story

Hubble launched aboard Discovery in 1990 as a general-purpose observatory designed for astronaut servicing. Five Shuttle servicing missions repaired, maintained, and repeatedly upgraded its instruments.

Webb launched in 2021 and unfolded a segmented mirror and multilayer sunshield before entering an orbit around Sun-Earth L2. Its cold infrared system reaches through dust and farther into cosmic history.

Together the observatories cover a wide wavelength range and often study the same targets from different physical perspectives, connecting ultraviolet, visible, and infrared evidence.