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Once again, NASA is asking for ideas to rescue Hubble from certain death
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NASA has issued a Request for Information (RFI) asking commercial companies for ideas to rescue the Hubble Space Telescope. The 36-year-old observatory lacks onboard propulsion and is steadily losing altitude. Without intervention, orbital dynamicists predict Hubble will reenter Earth’s atmosphere and burn up in the early-to-mid 2030s.
NASA last raised Hubble’s orbit in 2002, when Space Shuttle Columbia visited the telescope for a servicing mission. The final shuttle servicing flight in 2009 did not reboost the observatory. After the shuttle fleet retired in 2011, Hubble had no way to counter atmospheric drag.
It took 24 years for Hubble to glide from its 2002 altitude of 362 miles (583 kilometers) to its current orbit of about 292 miles (470 kilometers). The RFI, released on Thursday, seeks information on commercial capabilities to capture Hubble and boost it to at least 373 miles (600 kilometers). Responses are due November 30.
NASA requires that any boost or servicing mission not harm the Hubble Space Telescope and that it occur by 2032. A contractor would provide the launch vehicle, servicing spacecraft, mission operations, and crew if applicable. The agency also seeks options for servicing the telescope or guiding it to a controlled reentry.
A reboost to 600 kilometers would likely keep Hubble in orbit for at least 25 more years. NASA is not committing to purchasing a rescue mission. Officials want to learn who might be interested, how much it would cost, and which companies could realistically reach Hubble before it falls out of orbit.
Reentry forecasts remain uncertain and can shift with solar activity. The RFI represents a preliminary step before any procurement decision. Commercial interest and technical feasibility will shape NASA’s next moves.
