NASA's Hubble Space Telescope's latest successor, James Webb Space Telescope, is now exploring the space regions that no other satellites were able to reach until now.
401816 01: The Hubble Space Telescope orbits some 350 miles above the Pacific Ocean southwest of Mexico, March 3, 2002 as the Space Shuttle Columbia prepares to use its 50-foot-long robotic arm to lower the telescope into its cargo bay.
James Webb is considered to be more advanced compared to its predecessor.
When it comes to distance, JWST is millions of miles away from Earth. The Hubble Space Telescope is only around 340 miles.
JWST is also integrated with a more advanced camera system.
Despite all the efficient functions offered by JWST, it seems like NASA is already planning to develop another successor to the Hubble Space Telescope.
NASA Hubble New Successor?
According to Forbes' latest report, the James Webb Space Telescope is only for astrophysics. This means that it will not be able to achieve the breathtaking space images captured by Hubble.
402108 04: Astronaut John M. Grunsfeld (C) works to replace the starboard solar array on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) March 4, 2002 during an extravehicular activity (EVA) in space. Grunsfeld and the rest of his Space Shuttle Columbia crew are in space to try and upgrade some components of the Hubble Space Telescope.
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As of press time, the Hubble Space Telescope is still active. However, some experts said that it will soon be decommissioned as it gets older.
Once that happens, HST will no longer be able to provide images of the comet, asteroids, planets, and other heavenly bodies. Because of this, space analysts concluded that NASA will soon develop the new Solar System Space Telescope (SSST).
Now, what makes SSST different from JWST?
SSST as Hubble's New Successor
NASA's Solar System Space Telescope is also a large satellite. Just like Hubble, it will also focus on capturing images of heavenly bodies.
Since this is the case, there's one thing that JWST can't achieve that SSST can do easily. Hubble's next successor will specifically observe the objects located within the Solar System.
SSST can conduct high-resolution, high-sensitivity observations of visible and ultra-violet wavelengths; something that James Webb can't do.
As of writing, NASA has not confirmed if it will really consider SSST as its next space telescope. But, there's a high chance that the new Solar System Space Telescope will be the next Hubble successor because of their similarities.
NASA Solar System Exploration's official website stated that HST is in orbit for around 31 years. This just shows that it is way older compared to other space telescopes active in the solar system.
Recently, NASA's SpinLaunch collaboration finally happened.
On the other hand, NASA Artemis I will soon conduct a wet dress rehearsal.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
