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1. 2 Oct 30 3:05 PM

   Technical and policy context: servicing feasibility and budget pressures

   Coverage notes Hubble has a soft-capture mechanism from STS-125 enabling easier docking than Swift grappling. Northrop Grumman's Mission Extension Vehicle offers on-orbit servicing precedent. Jared Isaacman, now NASA Administrator, previously advocated for a SpaceX boost mission—an idea that was rejected but could be reconsidered. Dr. John Grunsfeld, retired STS-125 astronaut, has stated Hubble faced "death by a thousand cuts" from budget cuts; the telescope recently switched from three to one gyro mode to extend life.

   1. 10 outlets Think you can save the Hubble Space Telescope? NASA wants to know.

      first by Ars Technica, 8d ago · also SatellitePro ME, Mashable India, Mashable, The Verge, Mezha, WION +3

      8 more headlines

      • NASA explores in-space servicing options for Hubble Space Telescope SatellitePro ME · 7d ago
      • NASA Reaches Out To Commercial Space Industry For Help Saving Legendary Hubble Space Telescope Mashable India · 6d ago
      • NASA hopes the commercial space industry can help save Hubble Mastodon · 6d ago
      • NASA Seeks Private Companies to Help Save the Hubble Space Telescope Mezha · 6d ago
      • Hubble Space Telescope is falling and NASA is asking for help to save it WION · 6d ago
      • NASA Is Looking For Ways To Save The Hubble Space Telescope From An "Uncontrolled Reentry", And Extend Its Mission Beyond 2032 IFLScience · 5d ago
      • NASA is racing against time to save the Hubble Space Telescope Science Daily · 4d ago
      • NASA asks industry for ideas about saving Hubble Space Telescope Space · 4d ago
   • N

     …no. That’s not how that works. The satellites are designed for a specific lifespan with buffers for practically everything. The extended lifetime you see is usually those buffers coming into play. For example: JWST was launched with a specific amount of fuel, with half the fuel planned for repositioning post launch and the other half for…

     nickatnasar/technology7d agoview on r/technology ↗

   2 more of the top 3 · 16 posts in this stretch

   • E

     Hubble is in no immediate danger of burning up in the Earth’s atmosphere, but its time will run out in the early to mid 2030s unless its orbit is boosted. So NASA is taking proposals from the private sector to see if anyone can save it. (Paywall to read the whole thing, but that gives you the gist.) https://www. theverge.com/science/1024239/n…

     estherschindler@hachyderm.ioMastodon6d agoview on Mastodon ↗
   • B

     SpaceX already offered NASA the option to use one of the Polaris Dawn missions to service Hubble. NASA didn’t accept the offer. Another person who can’t figure out the difference between a contract and a hand out. I guess you consider everything you buy a handout to companies right?

     Bensemusr/space6d agoview on r/space ↗

   all of them →
2. 1 Oct 30 10:00 AM

   Media coverage details three mission options and reentry timeline

   The Register and other outlets report NASA's three options: boost Hubble to at least 600 km altitude, enhance its performance and resilience, or arrange a controlled reentry. NASA estimates 10 percent chance of uncontrolled reentry by September 2032, rising to 50 percent by December 2033. Any mission must complete by 2032.

   “Hubble is a national icon that has fundamentally changed how humanity views our universe for more than 35 years.”

   1. 2 outlets NASA weighs servicing Hubble or bringing it down in a controlled reentry

      first by Mezha.net, 9d ago · also The Register

      1 more headline

      • NASA ponders a Hubble servicing mission or a controlled deorbit The Register · 9d ago
3. backgroundOct 29

   NASA issues Request for Information on Hubble servicing options — NASA posted a contract opportunity notice seeking commercial space organizations' capabilities for in-space servicing, orbit-boosting, or controlled deorbit of Hubble. The RFI remains open until November 30, 2026.

4. backgroundMay 11, 2009

   Last Space Shuttle servicing mission launches to Hubble — STS-125 Space Shuttle flight launches, intended to add another five years of operational life to the telescope. Almost 17 years later, Hubble is still delivering science.