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Beyond Hubble, the Space Telescope Science Institute begins working on ATLAST

Beyond Hubble, the Space Telescope Science Institute begins working on ATLAST

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ATLAST telescope render
ATLAST telescope render

The Hubble Space Telescope has played an invaluable role for space exploration over the last 22 years, but, unsurprisingly, it's getting a little long in the tooth. To continue pushing the limits of discovery beyond our planet, the Space Telecsope Science Institute in Baltimore is not only working on Hubble's successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, but has also begun creating initial designs for the third generation Hubble, the ATLAST (Advanced Technology Large-Aperture Space Telescope). The Atlantic recently spoke with the Institute's Director, Matt Mountain, to discuss the challenges of finding life beyond Earth, the importance of building discipline-based teams, and how space science has evolved over the last 400 years, all of which can be seen at the source.