NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is a joint government space observatory launched in 1990 that delivers ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared astronomical imagery and data, serving professional astronomers, the general public, media, and policymakers via free global distribution.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1990
- HeadquartersBaltimore, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope does
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is a joint scientific observatory mission between NASA and the European Space Agency, launched in April 1990 and operated in low Earth orbit approximately 547 kilometers above the surface. It is equipped with a 2.4-meter primary mirror and six scientific instruments — Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3), Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS), Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS), Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS), and Fine Guidance Sensors (FGS) — enabling observations across ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths. The observatory's space-based placement above atmospheric distortion produces image quality unattainable by comparable ground-based telescopes, and it has accumulated more than 35 years of continuous observational data, including the Hubble Deep Fields, exoplanet characterizations, and black hole studies.
The mission is operated by government space agencies and does not generate commercial revenue. All images, videos, and scientific publications are distributed free of charge to the global public through the ESA/Hubble outreach program, headquartered at ESA offices in the United States. Core products include the image and video archives, the Top 100 Images collection, annual calendars, the Hubblecast and Space Sparks video series, press releases, and the FITS Liberator open-source image processing tool. ESA/Hubble also manages the European Hubble Space Telescope Science Archive (eHST), released in December 2022, and supports an institutional ecosystem alongside STScI, NOIRLab, IPAC, and CfA.
Hubble serves four primary audience segments: the professional scientific community (its principal user base), the general public and educators, media representatives, and government decision-makers. Distribution occurs through the esahubble.org website, email newsletters (ESA/Hubble News, Science Announcements, ESA/Hubble/Webb Science Newsletter), social media channels, and direct press outreach. The mission's value proposition centers on high-resolution space-based imaging, an unparalleled longitudinal data archive, and public access to cosmic imagery — supported by a globally recognized brand cultivated across multiple decades.
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope
- Legal name
- ESA/Hubble
- Website
- https://esahubble.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1990
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is a joint government space observatory launched in 1990 that delivers ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared astronomical imagery and data, serving professional astronomers, the general public, media, and policymakers via free global distribution.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Space-based astronomical observatory
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Space Research and Technology (927110)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial) (IMABACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD), Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)
Keywords
Where NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Baltimore
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is a space-based astronomical observatory operating approximately 547 kilometers above Earth that captures high-resolution imaging across ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths using a 2.4-meter primary mirror and six scientific instruments. The program distributes observational data, images, videos, and educational content through the ESA/Hubble website (esahubble.org) to the global scientific community and general public free of charge. The outreach arm, ESA/Hubble, is responsible for Hubble's public communications, image processing, and educational content in Europe.
Product overview
The ESA/Hubble website serves as the European Space Agency's hub for Hubble Space Telescope public outreach and data access. The offering consists of a centralized archive and publication platform providing access to Hubble images, videos, and scientific data. Core products include the Images archive (with categories spanning cosmology, galaxies, nebulae, exoplanets, star clusters, and more), Videos (including Hubblecast series and 3D animations), and the Top 100 Images collection. Supporting offerings include annual Hubble Space Telescope Calendars, the FITS Liberator open-source image processing software, newsletters (ESA/Hubble News, Science Announcements), and regular Press Releases documenting discoveries. The site also provides educational resources and public engagement materials.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Hubble Space Telescope: The primary space telescope mission operated jointly by NASA and ESA
- European Hubble Space Telescope (eHST)
Products and services
- ESA/Hubble Images Archive A vast archive of astronomical images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope, organized by categories including cosmology, galaxies, nebulae, exoplanets, star clusters, the solar system, spacecraft, and more. Images are available in multiple formats and resolutions for free download by researchers, educators, media, and the general public.
- ESA/Hubble Videos Video content including the Hubblecast series, 3D animations, fulldome videos, HD videos, and documentaries about Hubble discoveries and astronomical phenomena. Content is freely accessible to the public for educational and informational purposes.
- Hubble Space Telescope Calendars Annual wall calendars featuring Hubble Space Telescope images, published in multiple years from 2004 to 2026. Available in PDF and image formats for free download.
- FITS Liberator Open-source image processing software that enables astronomers and enthusiasts to process FITS (Flexible Image Transport System) files and create publishable images. Version 4 was released in March 2021 as a major update through collaboration with NOIRLab, IPAC, ESA, STScI, and CfA.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 35 years of continuous operation and astronomical observations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope
Customer profileSegments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope partnerships and signals
Strategic signalRecent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- European Southern Observatory (ESO): ESO operates ground-based observatories (VLT, ALMA, upcoming ELT) that complement Hubble's space-based capabilities. Comparable as a major international astronomy organization delivering public astronomical data and imagery through outreach channels.
- NASA Kepler / K2 Space Telescope: Kepler was NASA's exoplanet-focused space observatory, comparable as a NASA space-based astronomical observatory operating in a different but adjacent scientific niche (exoplanets vs general-purpose imaging/spectroscopy).
Direct peers
- NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope: JWST is the direct successor flagship space observatory operated jointly by NASA, ESA, and CSA. It overlaps with Hubble on imaging and spectroscopy but specializes in infrared, making it the most directly comparable space-based observatory peer.
- ESA Euclid: Euclid is an ESA-led visible/near-infrared space observatory for cosmology and dark matter mapping. It is a peer as a European-operated space observatory with shared ESA outreach infrastructure and comparable scientific imaging mission.
- NASA Spitzer Space Telescope: Spitzer was NASA's infrared Great Observatory, retired in 2020. It is a direct historical peer sharing Hubble's Great Observatory status, multi-instrument payload model, and NASA-driven public engagement program.
- NASA Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope: Roman is NASA's upcoming flagship infrared space telescope with wide-field survey capability. It is comparable as a next-generation space observatory sharing Hubble's general-purpose imaging mission and NASA-led governance.
- ESA Gaia: Gaia is ESA's astrometry mission producing a 3D map of the Milky Way. Comparable as an ESA-led space observatory delivering large-scale astronomical data products with public archives and global scientific community access.
- NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory: Chandra is a NASA Great Observatory covering X-ray wavelengths — a sister mission to Hubble in the Great Observatory program. Both share the NASA space-based observatory category, multi-instrument payload model, and public-outreach mission cadence.
Others
- Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI): STScI conducts Hubble science operations under NASA contract and will operate JWST and Roman. Comparable as the operations, data archive, and user-support backbone for flagship astronomical observatories.
- NASA Goddard Space Flight Center: Goddard is the NASA center that manages Hubble operations and many other astrophysics missions. Comparable as the institutional operator of the Hubble program and as a peer in operating space-based astronomical observatories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope social profiles
Digital presenceNASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
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Frequently asked questions about NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope
What does NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope do?
The NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is a space-based astronomical observatory operating approximately 547 kilometers above Earth that captures high-resolution imaging across ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared wavelengths using a 2.4-meter primary mirror and six scientific instruments. The program distributes observational data, images, videos, and educational content through the ESA/Hubble website (esahubble.org) to the global scientific community and general public free of charge. The outreach arm, ESA/Hubble, is responsible for Hubble's public communications, image processing, and educational content in Europe.
When was NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope founded?
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope was founded in 1990. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope based?
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope is headquartered in Baltimore, United States, in the North America region.
Who are NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are European Southern Observatory (ESO) and NASA Kepler / K2 Space Telescope. Direct peers are NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, ESA Euclid, NASA Spitzer Space Telescope, NASA Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, ESA Gaia and NASA Chandra X-ray Observatory. Others are Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
Does NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope have an API?
No public API is recorded for NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope.
What industry is NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope in?
NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope's product category is Space-based astronomical observatory. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAB, Spacecraft & Satellites (Civil/Commercial), with a secondary code of IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR). Its NAICS code is 336414 and its SIC code is 3760.