Satellite captures Hubble Telescope in stunning detail flying next to it in space
A Vantor WorldView Legion satellite captured a detailed image of the Hubble Space Telescope from orbit. The photograph marks Hubble's 36th year and reflects advances in space-based imaging.
In a rare and striking view from space, a commercial Earth-observation satellite has captured the iconic Hubble Space Telescope soaring above Earth, offering a perspective few have ever seen.
The image, taken on April 23, 2026, marks 36 years since the telescope began its mission of transforming humanity’s understanding of the universe.
The photograph was acquired by a WorldView Legion satellite operated by Vantor, from a remarkably close distance of just 61.8 kilometres.
At a resolution of 4.0 centimetres per pixel, the image reveals intricate details of Hubble’s structure, from its cylindrical body and reflective thermal shielding to its extended solar panels. Even the telescope’s open aperture door, which allows it to observe distant cosmic objects, is clearly visible.
Launched in 1990, the Hubble Space Telescope has spent over three decades orbiting Earth, delivering some of the most breathtaking images ever taken, from distant galaxies and nebulae to the birth and death of stars.
Its observations have helped scientists refine the age of the universe, study black holes, and better understand cosmic expansion.
What makes this new image particularly special is its vantage point. Unlike traditional photos of Hubble taken during servicing missions by astronauts, this view comes from another satellite in orbit, highlighting the growing capabilities of modern space-based imaging systems.
Capturing such a detailed image of an object moving at high speed in low Earth orbit is a technological achievement in itself.
The milestone also shows Hubble’s enduring legacy. Despite the launch of more advanced observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble continues to operate and contribute valuable data to astronomers worldwide.
As it completes 36 years of peering into the cosmos, this new portrait serves as both a tribute and a reminder of how one telescope opened an unprecedented window to the universe, and how far space technology has come in capturing it.