What should be done with the world’s most famous telescope? NASA took the first formal step toward answering that question on Thursday, issuing a Request For Information asking commercial companies how to reboost, service — or safely deorbit — the Hubble Space Telescope.
The RFI, released October 29, asks companies to submit proposals by November 30. The options on the table: capture Hubble and boost it to an altitude of at least 373 miles (600 km), enhance its performance through servicing, or guide it into a controlled reentry over unpopulated ocean. Any reboost or servicing mission “must not harm” the telescope, and NASA expects such a flight to happen by 2032.
Hubble has earned the attention. Launched in 1990, the observatory has operated for 36 years and reshaped humanity’s understanding of the universe — its last servicing visit came in 2002, when Shuttle Columbia reboosted it to its current orbit. Left alone, Hubble is expected to fall from orbit and burn up in Earth’s atmosphere in 2033–2034, with the exact timing depending on solar activity and how it drags on the spacecraft.
NASA is careful to stress that this is a survey, not a decision. The agency is not committing to buy or fund a mission yet — it is testing what capabilities exist, what they would cost, and which companies could realistically fly them. That measured framing matters: a commercial Hubble rescue was floated publicly a few years ago and never materialized, and the RFI is NASA’s way of finding out whether the idea has real legs before making any commitment.
For astronomers and the public alike, the stakes are emotional as well as scientific. Hubble remains productive and beloved, but it is aging, and its orbit is slowly decaying. NASA’s request is an invitation for the space industry to pitch a future for it — one last boost to keep it flying for decades, or a dignified, controlled goodbye.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.