NASA asks for ideas to save Hubble from orbital decay
The agency wants proposals to reboost or service the telescope by 2032.
By Spark News Desk · · United States
NASA has issued a request for information seeking ideas to reboost or service the Hubble Space Telescope before it reenters Earth's atmosphere. The telescope, which has been in orbit since 1990, is expected to fall back to Earth in the early 2030s if no action is taken.
The space agency solicited ideas for a reboost mission four years ago, but the proposals did not lead to a plan. Hubble has been gradually losing altitude since the last shuttle servicing mission in 2009 and currently orbits at about 292 miles (470 km) above Earth.
NASA is asking companies to submit proposals by November 30, detailing how they might reboost Hubble to at least 373 miles (600 km), service it, or perform a controlled reentry. The agency is not committing to funding the mission but wants to assess what is possible.
Why it matters
A successful reboost could extend Hubble's operational life and provide more time for scientific research. NASA aims to finalize a plan before the telescope’s orbit becomes too unstable.
Sources
- The biggest names in AI are backing a new way to opt out of scraping — The Verge
- Once again, NASA is asking for ideas to rescue Hubble from certain death — Ars Technica
Written by the Spark News Desk with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.