Key facts
- NASA seeks ideas to reboost Hubble to at least 373 miles (600 km) to extend its life by 25 years.
- The mission must not harm Hubble and is expected to occur by 2032.
- Responses to the Request For Information are due November 30.
- Hubble is predicted to reenter Earth's atmosphere in the early to mid-2030s without intervention.
NASA is seeking innovative and cost-effective solutions from commercial companies to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope, which is expected to reenter Earth's atmosphere in the mid-2030s. The space agency released a Request For Information (RFI) on Thursday, asking for proposals on how to reboost Hubble's orbit to at least 373 miles (600 km), service it, or perform a controlled disposal. Responses are due November 30. A successful reboost could keep Hubble operational for at least another 25 years. NASA is not committing to a mission but wants to gauge industry interest, costs, and capabilities. The agency previously explored similar ideas in 2022, including a proposal from billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman and SpaceX, but deemed them notional. The satellite servicing industry has matured, with companies like Northrop Grumman, Astroscale, and Starfish Space developing relevant technologies.