NASA explores servicing Hubble telescope to extend its life, seeks help from industry: What are the options?

NASA is seeking ideas to boost Hubble’s orbit, improve its performance or dispose of the observatory safely. In a Request for Information issued on Oct 29, NASA asked industry about boosting the telescope to a higher altitude, servicing it, or performing a safe controlled reentry or orbital disposal. Hubble has no propulsion of its own, and NASA’s analysis predicts it is likely to reenter in the 2033 to 2034 timeframe, so a mission would need to take place by 2032. NASA has not approved a mission, and responses are due Nov 30. Video credit: NASA, ESA, GettyImages