NASA is asking companies how they could help the Hubble Space Telescope keep working, including whether a spacecraft could push the observatory into a higher orbit as part of Hubble servicing efforts.

The agency issued its request for information on October 29 and described the effort the following day. It is an inquiry into industry capabilities, not an announcement of an approved servicing mission.

The idea of Hubble servicing is not just about maintenance; it opens up new possibilities for future missions.

Three options under review for Hubble servicing

NASA wants information about raising Hubble’s orbit, servicing it to improve its capabilities, or arranging controlled reentry or orbital disposal when its work ends.

Atmospheric drag gradually lowers Hubble’s altitude. The telescope has no propulsion system to maintain its own orbit. NASA says current analysis points to reentry in 2033 or 2034, and it anticipates that an intervention would need to occur by 2032.

Those dates are projections, not a scheduled end to Hubble’s observations.

What happens next

Responses to the industry request are due November 30 at 3 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, according to NASA. The agency has not announced a selected company, launch date or final mission design in this notice.