NASA seeks private sector proposals to extend Hubble Space Telescope operations
NASA has invited commercial space firms to submit plans for boosting the Hubble Space Telescope’s orbit to prevent atmospheric reentry.
NASA is exploring options to extend the operational life of the Hubble Space Telescope, which is currently losing altitude due to orbital decay. Without intervention, the telescope is expected to enter the Earth's atmosphere and burn up by the mid-2030s.
The agency has opened a call for proposals from private companies capable of providing mission concepts to raise the telescope’s orbit. This shift toward commercial engagement signals NASA's intent to leverage private sector technical capabilities for aging scientific assets.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated that the agency is evaluating all feasible methods to maintain the telescope's scientific output. While the telescope currently remains functional, the project aims to secure its viability beyond the next decade.
Should a viable private sector solution emerge, it could establish a new model for maintaining long-term orbital infrastructure through public-private partnerships.