Space telescopes have transformed our understanding of the universe by observing wavelengths of light and phenomena that ground-based instruments cannot detect.Space telescopes have transformed our understanding of the universe by observing wavelengths of light and phenomena that ground-based instruments cannot detect. This book was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and offers an accessible introduction to how these orbiting observatories are designed, launched, and operated. In the chapters that follow, you will learn about the engineering challenges of placing telescopes beyond Earth's atmosphere, the scientific instruments they carry, and the discoveries they have made possible, from mapping distant galaxies to studying exoplanets and the early history of the cosmos. The book also traces the development of major missions and explains how astronomers plan and interpret their observations. Written for readers with a general interest in astronomy and space science, this book provides a clear, factual overview of the technology and discoveries that have expanded our view of the universe, without requiring prior technical knowledge.Space telescopes have transformed our understanding of the universe by observing wavelengths of light and phenomena that ground-based instruments cannot detect. This book was generated with the assistance of artificial intelligence and offers an accessible introduction to how these orbiting observatories are designed, launched, and operated. In the chapters that follow, you will learn about the engineering challenges of placing telescopes beyond Earth's atmosphere, the scientific instruments they carry, and the discoveries they have made possible, from mapping distant galaxies to studying exoplanets and the early history of the cosmos. The book also traces the development of major missions and explains how astronomers plan and interpret their observations. Written for readers with a general interest in astronomy and space science, this book provides a clear, factual overview of the technology and discoveries that have expanded our view of the universe, without requiring prior technical knowledge.