Comparing the Longevity and Performance of the International Space Station (ISS) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST)

The International Space Station (ISS) and the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) are two of the most recognized and remarkable satellites in space. Both have distinct purposes and have contributed significantly to space exploration. But, how do they compare in terms of longevity and performance?

Longevity

The ISS, a habitable artificial satellite, was first launched on November 20, 1998, and has been in continuous operation with numerous modules added since then. The original design lifetime of the ISS was 15 years, but with proper maintenance and upgrades, its lifetime has been extended to at least 2028, with the possibility of being extended to 2030 or later(1).

The Hubble Space Telescope, on the other hand, was launched on April 24, 1990, and has been in service for over 31 years as of 2021(2). The telescope was built to operate for 15 years, but with the help of five servicing missions, it has continued to function and gather data long after its initial life expectancy.

In terms of longevity, the HST has certainly surpassed expectations, but the ISS has the potential to exceed it as well.

Performance

The ISS and the HST have distinct purposes, and their performance can't be directly compared. The ISS is a habitat satellite that serves as an orbiting laboratory for scientific research and experimentation—hosting various modules for crew living quarters, research facilities, and more. It orbits the Earth at an altitude of approximately 408 km and completes an orbit every 90 minutes(3).

The Hubble Space Telescope, on the other hand, is an optical telescope that orbits at an altitude of approximately 547 km (2). The HST has the ability to capture stunning images of the universe and has contributed to a wide range of scientific discoveries, including the measurement of the universe's expansion rate and the detection of dark energy(4).

While both satellites have unique capabilities and have contributed much to space exploration, the HST's imaging capabilities have certainly captured the public's imagination, making it one of the most popular satellites in history.

Conclusion

So, in comparing the longevity and performance of the ISS and the HST, it's apparent that both have exceeded their original life expectancies, with the ISS potentially being extended out to at least 2030. Although their purposes and performance can't be compared directly, both satellites have made significant contributions to space exploration.

And with that, we must say, "Hasta la vista, ISS and Hubble thereupon." (We told you we have a brilliant sense of humor)

References

1. NASA.gov. (2021). International Space Station. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
2. Space Telescope Science Institute. (2021). Hubble At A Glance. https://www.stsci.edu/hst/about/hst_overview
3. NASA.gov. (2021). International Space Station: Facts and Figures. https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/spacefood/timeline.html#:~:text=The%20station%20orbits%20Earth%20at,every%2090%20minutes%20at%205.5
4. National Geographic. (2021). Hubble Space Telescope. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/space/hubble-telescope/