The Hubble Space Telescope is gradually losing altitude and could re-enter Earth’s atmosphere in 2033 or 2034 at its current rate of descent. NASA has warned that the telescope’s uncontrolled return could pose risks during its fall, prompting the agency to seek assistance from the commercial space industry.
NASA has issued a Request for Information asking companies to explore two possible approaches: boosting Hubble into a higher orbit to extend its operational life, or controlling its descent so that it reaches a safer area, such as the open ocean.
According to the request, raising Hubble’s orbit would require an increase of more than 370 miles, or 600 kilometers. That would represent a technically demanding operation involving the capture and servicing of a telescope that has been in low-Earth orbit since its launch in 1990.
Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, said commercial companies have developed new capabilities for capturing and servicing satellites in space. The agency wants to examine those options while it develops a future flagship mission.
NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency has a responsibility to investigate ways to prolong Hubble’s scientific contribution for both taxpayers and the scientific community. Companies such as SpaceX and Rocket Lab could be among those interested in the challenge.
The commercial space sector has already supported NASA in major operations, including the return of astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore from the International Space Station with SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The potential Hubble mission, however, would not launch until 2032, making an early start to planning essential.
Sources: Mashable.