NASA is soliciting proposals from the commercial space industry to boost the Hubble Space Telescope's orbit, which is slowly decaying due to gravity. Without intervention, Hubble will re-enter Earth's atmosphere in the early-to-mid 2030s. Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the value of keeping Hubble operational for as long as possible through innovative and cost-effective solutions.
Background
The Hubble Space Telescope has been operational since 1990 and was last serviced by astronauts in 2009. Its orbit naturally decays over time due to atmospheric drag, making orbital boost missions essential for extending its lifespan.
- Source
- The Verge
- Published
- Nov 2, 2026 at 05:09 AM
- Score
- 6.0 / 10