Question

Why are telescopes launched into space?

Answer 1

Primarly I think to avoid the optic effects due to our atmosphere.

Explanation:

Our atmosphere is a dense transparent medium that causes refraction (bending) of light and possible distortion; this effect is also quite variable according to height and connected with the different density and refractive index of air at various heights.

On Earth you have also to take into account the interference of artificial light produced by man. This light can be diffused by our atmosphere and interfere with your observations making difficult to detect faint distant stars.

Finally in space you do not have...clouds!