For 16 years, the Hubble Space Telescope has sent amazing images to Earth. But the telescope is beginning to show signs of age. Last week, NASA announced plans to extend Hubble's life. NASA chief Michael Griffin said the space agency would send a space shuttle on a repair mission to Hubble in 2008. It will be the fifth time NASA has sent a repair crew to work on Hubble.
The $900 million mission will involve five space walks. Astronauts will install new batteries and equipment. "While there is a risk in all spaceflight activities," says Griffin, "the desire to preserve a truly international asset makes doing this mission the right course of action." Scientists around the world use Hubble images.
If the service mission is successful, Hubble should be set to keep taking pictures until 2013.