Just about everyone has seen and been amazed by the Hubble Space Telescope’s incredible
images of our Universe.
From star-forming nebula and gigantic galaxies, to the beautiful planets in our solar system.
For over 30 years, Hubble has been re-writing the textbooks as it continues to expand our
own understanding of the universe.
But operating a telescope in space isn’t an easy task. As Hubble orbits the Earth once
every 90 minutes, it’s not exactly as simple as just spinning the telescope around and
telling it to take a quick picture.
And that’s where the STOCC comes in!
Dedicated on February 14th, 1984 at NASA Goddard’s Space Flight Center, the STOCC, or the Space
Telescope Operations Control Center, operates the Hubble Space Telescope on its important mission.
Built in the early 1980s, this historic location was one of the most complex satellite control
centers ever developed. The amazing minds working at the STOCC maintain the health,
safety, and performance of the telescope as it speeds around Earth at 17,500 miles per hour.
Crewed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, the team at the STOCC evolved with changes to
computing technology. In 1999, Goddard upgraded the STOCC’s computers from minicomputers
to personal workstations.
And in 2011, the STOCC utilized smartphone technology and automated processes, relieving
the need for 24/7 staffing.
While the STOCC has undergone some changes over the years, one thing remains the same:
The team's commitment to the Hubble Space Telescope.
The women and men of the mission operations team have been relentless in finding ingenious
ways to prolong Hubble’s life, so it can do science as long as possible.
Today, the Operations Team members at the STOCC continue to operate the telescope, capturing
data and images of the cosmos for all of us to enjoy, allowing Hubble to continue its
mission of unravelling the mysteries of the universe.
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