The Hubble Space Telescope is one of the most expensive scientific instruments ever built. The total cost of the Hubble Telescope, including development, launch, and maintenance, is estimated to be around $10 billion.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs:
- Development and Construction: The initial development and construction of the Hubble Telescope cost approximately $2.5 billion.
- Launch: The launch of the Hubble Telescope in 1990 by the Space Shuttle Discovery added another $1.5 billion to the total cost.
- Maintenance and Servicing: Over the years, several servicing missions have been conducted to repair and upgrade the telescope. These missions have added an additional $6 billion to the total cost.
Despite its high cost, the Hubble Telescope has provided invaluable scientific data and stunning images of the universe, making it a worthwhile investment for space exploration and astronomy.