The Hubble Space Telescope, launched on April 24, 1990, was hailed as a revolutionary instrument that promised unparalleled views of the cosmos. However, shortly after its deployment, astronomers were confronted with a disheartening setback—the discovery of a significant optical flaw known as spherical aberration. This flaw resulted from a miscalibrated mirror, which caused incoming light to converge at slightly different points, leading to blurred and distorted images. The severity of the issue threatened to undermine the scientific potential of the Hubble, rendering its observations less accurate and valuable.

In response to this challenge, NASA and a team of engineers and scientists initiated a daring and unprecedented rescue mission. In December 1993, astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour embarked on a complex and delicate mission to install corrective optics, essentially glasses for the Hubble. This ambitious endeavor involved the installation of the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2) and the Corrective Optics Space Telescope Axial Replacement (COSTAR), among other improvements. Installing these corrective instruments marked a pivotal moment in space exploration history. The subsequent images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope surpassed all expectations, revealing the breathtaking beauty and intricacy of the universe in unprecedented detail. The successful correction of the spherical aberration salvaged Hubble's mission and elevated it to iconic status as one of history's most significant astronomical observatories. The Hubble Space Telescope's journey from optical setback to triumphant recovery is a testament to human ingenuity, perseverance, and the enduring spirit of exploration.