A selection of photogenic space targets to celebrate the 35th anniversary of NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope: a small portion of the Rosette Nebula. right: barred spiral galaxy NGC 5335. Image: NASA, ESA, STScI; Image Processing: Joseph DePasquale (STScI), Alyssa Pagan (STScI)
In honor of the Hubble Space Telescope’s 35th anniversary in Earth orbit, NASA has released a breathtaking collection of new space images, showcasing celestial wonders ranging from the planet Mars to distant star-forming regions and a neighboring galaxy.
Since its launch in 1990, Hubble has become the most iconic and scientifically productive space telescope in history. Its decades of groundbreaking discoveries have redefined our understanding of the universe and cemented its legacy as a symbol of American innovation, technological excellence, and scientific exploration.
With these new images, NASA continues to inspire the world by highlighting the power of space science and reaffirming the nation’s role at the forefront of astronomical discovery.
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“Hubble opened a new window to the universe when it launched 35 years ago. Its stunning imagery inspired people across the globe, and the data behind those images revealed surprises about everything from early galaxies to planets in our own solar system,” said Shawn Domagal-Goldman, acting director of the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “The fact that it is still operating today is a testament to the value of our flagship observatories, and provides critical lessons for the Habitable Worlds Observatory, which we plan to be serviceable in the spirit of Hubble.”
High above Earth’s hazy atmosphere, Hubble’s pristine views have profoundly changed the public’s connection to the cosmos. Through its striking imagery, Hubble has made astronomy relatable, engaging, and accessible to individuals of all generations. Hubble’s snapshots possess the power to portray the universe as both magnificent, mysterious, and beautiful, and also as chaotic, immense, and even unsettling.
The 24,000-pound observatory was tucked away inside the space shuttle Discovery’s cargo bay and lofted into low Earth orbit on April 24, 1990. As the shuttle Discovery thundered skyward, the NASA commentator described Hubble as a “new window on the universe.” The telescope turned out to be exactly as promised, and more.
More scientific papers than ever are based on Hubble data, thanks to the dedication, perseverance, and skills of engineers, scientists, and mission operators. Astronauts chased and rendezvoused with Hubble on five servicing missions in which they upgraded Hubble’s cameras, computers, and other support systems. The servicing missions took place from 1993 to 2009.
To date, Hubble has made nearly 1.7 million observations, looking at approximately 55,000 astronomical targets. Hubble discoveries have resulted in over 22,000 papers and over 1.3 million citations as of February 2025. All the data collected by Hubble is archived and currently adds up to over 400 terabytes, representing the biggest dataset for a NASA astrophysics mission besides the James Webb Space Telescope.
