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NASA seeks commercial proposals to reboost or deorbit Hubble Space Telescope
Key points
- NASA issued RFI for Hubble rescue proposals.
- Hubble is predicted to re-enter atmosphere by 2033-2034.
- Proposals sought for reboost, servicing, or controlled deorbit.
- Mission must not harm HST and occur by 2032.
Hubble's Orbital Decline
The Hubble Space Telescope, after 36 years in orbit, is gradually losing altitude. Its last orbital reboost occurred in 2002 during a Space Shuttle Columbia servicing mission. The final shuttle mission in 2009 did not include a reboost, and with the shuttle fleet's retirement, Hubble has been without a mechanism to counteract its orbital decay.
Current predictions indicate that without intervention, Hubble will re-enter Earth's atmosphere in the early-to-mid 2030s, specifically around 2033 or 2034. This natural re-entry would mark the end of one of the most significant scientific instruments of the century.
Request For Information Issued
NASA has released a Request For Information (RFI) to commercial companies, inviting proposals for solutions to Hubble's orbital challenges. The RFI seeks ideas on how to reboost the telescope, provide servicing, or execute a controlled disposal. Responses to this RFI are due by November 30.
Specifically, NASA is interested in companies' current and near-term capabilities for capturing Hubble and boosting its orbit to a minimum of 373 miles (600 km), enhancing its performance, or guiding it to a controlled reentry. The RFI stipulates that any proposed mission must not harm the Hubble Space Telescope and should be completed by 2032.
Scope of Commercial Involvement
The RFI outlines that the contractor would be responsible for providing the necessary launch vehicle, the servicing spacecraft, mission operations, and potentially a crew if applicable. This broad scope indicates NASA's interest in comprehensive commercial solutions for the complex task of interacting with the aging telescope.
NASA has clarified that issuing this RFI does not commit the agency to purchasing a Hubble rescue mission. Instead, it aims to gauge commercial interest, assess potential costs, and identify companies with realistic capabilities to reach Hubble before its predicted re-entry.
Extending Hubble's Lifespan
Hubble, which lacks onboard propulsion, descended from its 2002 altitude of 362 miles (583 km) to its current orbit of approximately 292 miles (470 km) over 24 years. A successful reboost to NASA's requested altitude of 373 miles (600 km) would likely extend Hubble's operational life by at least 25 additional years, allowing for continued scientific observations.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
NASA is soliciting proposals from the private sector to find ways to extend the operational life of the Hubble Space Telescope. Hubble is projected to de-orbit in the early to mid-2030s without an orbital boost, and NASA aims to explore cost-effective solutions to continue its scientific contributions.
NASA issued a Request For Information (RFI) to commercial companies for ideas to reboost, service, or safely deorbit the Hubble Space Telescope. Hubble is projected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in the early-to-mid 2030s without intervention, and NASA is exploring options to extend its operational life or ensure controlled disposal. The RFI asks for capabilities to raise Hubble's orbit to at least 373 miles (600 km) or guide it to a controlled reentry by 2032.