NASA seeks commercial help to save Hubble Space Telescope from crashing
The 36-year-old telescope is expected to fall to Earth in the early 2030s due to gravity.
NASA has invited commercial space companies to provide solutions to save the 36-year-old Hubble Space Telescope, according to WION.
The telescope is being dragged down by gravity and is expected to crash to Earth in the early 2030s. NASA issued a Request for Information (RFI) on October 29 asking private players to propose ways to raise the telescope's altitude to 600 kilometres.
If raising the altitude is not possible, the agency is asking for proposals on how to execute a controlled reentry back to Earth. The mission requirements include planning, preparing a spacecraft, launching it, and recruiting necessary staff.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated in a post that the telescope still has important science ahead of it. He said the agency should look at every reasonable opportunity to keep it delivering and explore cost-effective ways to save an asset already in orbit.
The telescope was launched in 1990 and was moved to a higher orbit by the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2002. NASA noted that saving the telescope was an agenda alongside its initial launch.
Commercial companies have been asked to submit their proposals before November 30.