It is hardly surprising that "it's early yet" for Hubble science following the hugely successful Servicing Mission 4 (SM4) flown on space shuttle Atlantis in mid-May of 2009. After all, obtaining and analyzing detailed science data, then writing up the results and publishing them, is a process that takes some time. The telescope is equipped with a full complement of scientific instruments for the first time since 1993, and the performance we are seeing promises great scientific discoveries in the future. In short, Hubble is better than ever, truly at the pinnacle of its scientific power and promise. The staff of the Hubble Program at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore-not to mention the astronomers who are beginning to see their data-couldn't be more pleased.
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