The Hubble Space Telescope has spent 36 years in orbit, but its altitude has steadily declined since NASA last raised its orbit in 2002. Without a new intervention, the observatory is expected to fall back into Earth’s atmosphere in the early-to-mid-2030s.
NASA issued a Request for Information on Thursday seeking proposals from commercial companies for a possible Hubble mission. The agency wants details on current and near-term capabilities to capture the telescope and raise it to at least 373 miles (600 kilometers), improve its performance, or guide it through a controlled reentry.
Any boost or servicing mission would have to avoid damaging Hubble and is expected to take place by 2032. A contractor would be responsible for the launch vehicle, servicing spacecraft and mission operations, as well as crew if needed. Responses are due November 30.
The request does not commit NASA to purchasing a rescue mission. Instead, the agency is seeking information about potential providers, estimated costs and whether companies could reach Hubble before its natural reentry. Current orbital predictions place that event in 2033 or 2034, although solar activity can affect reentry forecasts.
Hubble has no onboard propulsion. It took 24 years for the telescope to descend from the 362-mile (583-kilometer) orbit reached after its 2002 reboost to its current altitude of about 292 miles (470 kilometers). Raising it to NASA’s requested altitude could keep the observatory in orbit for at least another 25 years.
Sources: Ars Technica.