NASA asks industry how it could service Hubble, or bring it down safely

NASA issued a Request for Information on October 29 to learn what industry could do to service the Hubble Space Telescope, the agency said the next day. Atmospheric drag is slowly lowering Hubble, and the telescope has no propulsion system to hold its orbit.

The request asks about three options: boosting Hubble higher to extend its science, servicing it to improve its capabilities, or a safe, controlled re-entry or orbital disposal when the mission ends. It gathers information and awards no mission.

NASA's analysis predicts a likely re-entry in 2033 or 2034, and the agency anticipates a mission would need to happen by 2032.

Administrator Jared Isaacman said NASA should look at affordable ways to keep a spacecraft in orbit working longer. Nicky Fox, who leads its science directorate, said industry offers new capture and servicing capabilities.

Five astronaut missions upgraded Hubble, the last in 2009. NASA's older FAQ page calls it the first space observatory designed for servicing in orbit and, in text that predates this request, says the shuttle's retirement left no capability to service it.

Companies have until 3 p.m. EST on Monday, November 30, to respond, NASA says.