What major modification was performed on the telescope during the 1993 mission?
Answer
The installation of a corrective optics package
The initial deployment of the telescope in 1990 was hindered by a flaw known as spherical aberration in the primary mirror. This defect caused images to be blurry and prevented the instrument from reaching its full potential. The 1993 mission was crucial because it involved the installation of a corrective optics package designed to compensate for this flaw. This repair effectively fixed the mirror's output, transforming the observatory into the premier astronomical tool of the era.
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