Trouble with Hubble: Trailer

The Hubble Space Telescope, once envisioned as the "greatest thing since Galileo," promised to answer fundamental questions about the origin of the universe and the existence of extraterrestrial life. Despite its eventual transformation of astronomical understanding, the project's early history was defined by near-catastrophic failures and a high-stakes rescue mission. After its initial launch, the discovery of a significant focus flaw threatened the survival of NASA and led to a period of intense crisis. The narrative centers on the technical and personal challenges faced by the scientists and engineers who worked to fix the telescope while it was already in orbit. This account highlights the transition from a perceived "disaster" to a historic success, emphasizing the human ingenuity required to salvage a multi-billion dollar window into the cosmos.