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NASA ponders a Hubble servicing mission or a controlled deorbit

SpaceOctober 30, 20261 min read

NASA is asking companies whether they could service the Hubble Space Telescope or guide it to a safe, controlled reentry. The old telescope is running out of time before its orbit decays.

What happened

NASA has posted a request for information, which is a notice that asks companies for ideas and comments. It is not a real contract yet. NASA wants to know if commercial space companies can service Hubble. One option is a spacecraft that grabs Hubble and steers it into a controlled reentry, meaning it comes down in a planned way. Other options are a craft that raises Hubble's orbit or one that improves its performance and extends its life.

Key numbers and facts

The last Hubble servicing mission was STS-125, launched on May 11, 2009.
NASA estimates a 10 percent chance Hubble reenters the atmosphere by September 2032.
That chance rises to 50 percent by December 2033.
A replacement is not expected before the 2040s, when the Habitable Worlds Observatory could start work.
NASA reports a 7:1 oversubscription, meaning seven requests for every available observing slot.

Why Hubble is in trouble

Hubble was once serviced by astronauts on the Space Shuttle. Since that stopped, it has no fuel-powered system to control its path. Without help, it will fall back to Earth in an uncontrolled way. Solar activity can make the air high above Earth push harder on satellites than expected, which speeds up their fall. The Swift spacecraft's recent end showed this effect.

Why it matters

Hubble is still making important science, and nothing can replace it soon. Because it is large, some pieces could survive reentry and pose a small risk to people on the ground. A safe plan would protect people and keep valuable science going for longer.

What to watch

Which companies reply to NASA's request for information.
Whether NASA picks a controlled reentry or a life-extension mission.
Whether a mission can be ready by NASA's 2032 deadline without harming Hubble.
How the budget cuts and the switch to one-gyro mode affect Hubble's remaining life.

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