NASA Seeks Commercial Plans to Extend Hubble’s Mission or End It Safely

NASA is seeking commercial ideas for changing Hubble’s orbit, servicing the telescope or safely ending its mission as atmospheric drag pushes it toward possible re-entry in 2033 or 2034.

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center issued a request for information Oct. 29, 2026, asking about three approaches: moving Hubble to a higher orbit, servicing it to improve performance or resilience, and disposing of it when its mission ends. Disposal could involve a controlled re-entry or another orbital option.

The orbit-raising concept would have a servicing craft rendezvous with Hubble in low Earth orbit and lift the telescope to an altitude of 600 kilometers (373 miles) or higher. The notice says a boost or servicing mission is expected by 2032 and must not damage the telescope. Hubble has no propulsion system to maintain its orbit, which is declining because of atmospheric drag.

The request cites a July 2026 lifetime analysis that estimates a 10% probability of re-entry by September 2032 and a 50% probability by December 2033. Those figures are estimates, not scheduled dates. NASA’s broader projection places possible re-entry in 2033 or 2034.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “Hubble still has important science ahead of it.” The telescope has operated for more than three decades and continues to make scientific discoveries.

NASA and SpaceX signed an unfunded agreement in 2022 to study a possible Hubble orbit boost. At the time, NASA said it had no plans to fund a dedicated servicing mission.

The current request is market research, not a request for proposals, and it does not commit NASA to a mission. NASA would provide technical information, expert consultation and coordinated operations. A contractor would supply other mission resources, including a launch vehicle, spacecraft, any applicable crew and mission operations.

Responses are due Nov. 30, 2026, at 3 p.m. EST (20:00 UTC).