NASA is asking companies to outline ways to extend the Hubble Space Telescope’s mission or safely end it, as atmospheric drag lowers its orbit and the observatory lacks propulsion.
NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center posted a Request for Information on Oct. 29 seeking ideas for three paths: lift Hubble to a higher orbit, service it to improve performance and resilience, or arrange a controlled re-entry. For an orbit boost, NASA wants concepts that could latch onto the telescope in low Earth orbit and move it to an orbit at least 600 kilometers high. The notice says any boost or servicing mission must not damage Hubble and is expected by 2032.
The request is an information-gathering step, not a bid solicitation or a promise to award a contract. NASA has not announced a selected mission option or provider, and says it may issue a formal solicitation later. The notice assigns NASA a support role, including sharing technical information, making specialists available and coordinating telescope operations. Companies would be expected to provide the spacecraft, launch vehicle and other mission resources. NASA has not announced a funding amount for a mission.
Atmospheric drag is lowering Hubble’s altitude, and the telescope has no propulsion system for maintaining its orbit. NASA’s July 2026 analysis estimated a 10% probability of re-entry by September 2032 and a 50% probability by December 2033. The agency’s public announcement gives 2033 or 2034 as the likely re-entry period.
NASA says requests for Hubble observing time exceed available slots by more than seven to one, and the telescope is associated with more than 1,000 scientific papers annually. The agency says extending Hubble’s work could preserve its capabilities until a potential Habitable Worlds Observatory becomes operational and help limit a gap between missions. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “Hubble still has important science ahead of it.”
Responses are due by 3 p.m. EST Nov. 30, 2026. NASA says it will not pay for submissions.
