NASA Again Seeks Commercial Ideas to Rescue Hubble Space Telescope
NASA has once again requested proposals from commercial companies for reboosting and servicing the aging Hubble Space Telescope to prevent its atmospheric reentry.
NASA is soliciting ideas from commercial companies to rescue the Hubble Space Telescope, which is at risk of plummeting back into Earth's atmosphere by the mid-2030s due to orbital decay. The agency issued a Request For Information (RFI) on Thursday, seeking solutions for reboosting, servicing, or controlled disposal of Hubble.
This is not the first time NASA has called for such proposals; similar ideas were solicited in 2022 but did not lead to a rescue mission. However, advancements in the commercial space sector and the enthusiasm of new NASA administrator Jared Isaacman suggest a different outcome might be possible this time.
Highlights
- Orbital Decay Risk: The Hubble Space Telescope faces the risk of re-entering Earth's atmosphere by the mid-2030s.
- New RFI Issued: NASA has requested information from commercial companies on methods for reboosting, servicing, or controlled disposal of Hubble.
- Target Altitude: The agency requires the telescope to be boosted to at least 600 km, potentially extending its operational life by at least 25 years.
- Commercial Sector Role: NASA believes the rapidly evolving commercial space industry could undertake this mission.
- Submission Deadline: Companies have until November 30 to submit their responses.
Details
The Hubble Space Telescope last had its orbit raised in 2002 by the Space Shuttle Columbia. With the retirement of the shuttle fleet, Hubble has steadily lost altitude. It took 24 years for its orbit to drop from 583 km in 2002 to its current 470 km. NASA stipulates that any mission must not harm the HST and should occur by 2032, boosting it to a minimum altitude of 600 km.
While NASA has not yet allocated funding for a Hubble rescue mission, officials aim to understand potential costs and identify companies capable of undertaking such a task. In 2022, billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman proposed a crewed servicing mission to Hubble using SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. At the time, these concepts were deemed "notional" by NASA officials, and a reboost mission was not pursued.
Why it matters
Hubble remains a crucial scientific instrument, providing unique visible and ultraviolet light observations that complement newer infrared telescopes like the Webb and Roman. Extending its lifespan would allow for continued groundbreaking discoveries and further our understanding of the universe. The RFI signifies NASA's commitment to exploring all viable options, leveraging the maturing capabilities of the commercial space industry to preserve a valuable asset for science and taxpayers.