Think you can save the Hubble Space Telescope? NASA wants to know.

Commercial companies can now bid to extend Hubble's operational life, potentially securing new contracts in satellite servicing.

NASA has issued a Request For Information (RFI) seeking commercial companies to propose methods for rescuing the Hubble Space Telescope from its impending orbital decay. Without intervention, Hubble is projected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere and burn up in the early to mid-2030s, likely between 2033 and 2034. The RFI outlines three potential scenarios: reboosting Hubble to an altitude of at least 373 miles (600 km) to extend its lifespan by an estimated 25 years, servicing the telescope to enhance its performance, or guiding it for a controlled atmospheric reentry. Responses are due by November 30, and NASA requires any proposed mission to occur by 2032 without harming the observatory. This initiative follows a similar RFI in 2022, which did not lead to a mission, and explorations into a privately funded mission by billionaire Jared Isaacman. The agency is not currently committing to a purchase but is assessing commercial capabilities, costs, and feasibility.

The satellite servicing industry has matured significantly since NASA's last attempt to solicit Hubble rescue ideas. Companies specializing in robotic capture, servicing, and in-space transport are increasingly capable, bolstered by recent government contracts and demonstrations. This RFI signals NASA's willingness to leverage this evolving commercial ecosystem, moving away from solely government-led or notionally private missions toward potentially tangible, industry-executed solutions for extending the life of critical scientific assets.

This move also highlights a broader trend in space exploration where established, high-value assets are being considered for life extension through commercial means, especially as new flagship observatories like Webb and Roman focus on different spectral ranges. The success of this RFI could pave the way for similar commercial ventures for other aging satellites, demonstrating a viable pathway for public-private partnerships in maintaining and expanding humanity's observational capabilities in space.