NASA Seeks Private Help to Boost Hubble Before 2030s Decay
NASA has opened a window for commercial proposals to extend the Hubble Space Telescope’s orbit before it re‑enters Earth’s atmosphere in the early‑to‑mid‑2030s.
Gravity is pulling the Hubble Space Telescope toward Earth, and without a boost its orbit will decay in the early to mid‑2030s. The telescope is not in immediate danger of burning up, but its operational life will end unless its altitude is raised.
NASA has opened a request for proposals from the private sector to explore ways to extend Hubble’s mission. Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “Hubble still has important science ahead of it, and we should be looking at every reasonable opportunity to keep it delivering for as long as possible … If there are innovative and cost‑effective ways to extend the life of an asset already on orbit, we owe it to the American taxpayer and the scientific community to explore them. Extending Hubble’s life would mean more discoveries, more science, and more opportunities to expand our understanding of the universe.”
The submission window remains open through November 30 at 3 PM ET. Interested parties are encouraged to present concepts that could provide the necessary orbital boost.
Without a successful boost, Hubble will eventually re‑enter Earth’s atmosphere and be lost.
