Science · 2026-10-31 · Morning briefing
NASA again seeks private sector ideas to save Hubble
NASA has again asked commercial companies for ideas to save the Hubble Space Telescope. After 36 years in orbit, its altitude is decaying; without intervention, it is projected to re-enter the atmosphere between 2033 and 2034. The agency seeks proposals to boost its orbit, service its components, or perform a controlled disposal.
The telescope orbits at 292 miles (470 km), down from 362 miles (583 km) since its last reboost in 2002. The agency requires a boost to an altitude of at least 373 miles (600 km), which would extend the telescope's life by at least 25 years. The final Space Shuttle mission in 2009 did not alter its orbit, leaving the telescope to descend ever since.
A similar 2022 request drew eight responses, including a crewed mission proposed by billionaire Jared Isaacman using a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. However, NASA announced in 2024 it would not pursue those options. This new call for ideas, with responses due November 30th, reopens the question of the telescope's fate.
Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.
Read the sources
- Hubble is slowly falling, and NASA asks companies how to save it
- NASA seeks private space stations to replace the aging ISS by 2030
- NASA seeks commercial space station proposals
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