Storyline · science · 2 reports from 2 newsrooms
NASA seeks commercial help to extend Hubble’s life
First reported Oct 29, 11:06 AM ET · Latest Nov 1, 4:09 PM ET · Explainer updated Nov 1, 4:31 PM ET
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Why it was in the Relay Update: Reported by one newsroom so far, less than an hour old when it aired, picked for the Top Stories desk.
Where things stand
NASA announced it is accepting proposals from commercial space firms to boost Hubble’s orbit and keep the telescope operational into the early‑mid 2030s, The Verge reports. NASA also disclosed that several companies have approached its Langley Research Center to join the In‑Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) program for access to competitive intelligence, NASA says.
Facts
Facts appear here as Relay matches them to the reports.
Timeline
What changed: NASA opened a solicitation for commercial servicing of Hubble, aiming to use industry capabilities to raise the telescope’s orbit.
Every report, newest first
- NASA hopes the commercial space industry can help save Hubble — The Verge
Gravity is a cruel mistress, slowly dragging the famed telescope ever closer to its ultimate demise with every day. 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…
- NASA’s ISAM State of Play: The Industry Standard for Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing — NASA
When companies began approaching NASA’s Langley Research Center, asking to be included in the In-Space Servicing, Assembly, and Manufacturing (ISAM) State of Play for access to competitive intelligence, the team knew they had crossed an inflection point.…
Questions
- It is not yet known which companies will be selected, what the contract terms will be, or what specific technology will be used to raise Hubble’s orbit. Open
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More: background
Hubble’s altitude is slowly decreasing because Earth’s gravity pulls it lower each day, and without a boost the telescope will re‑enter the atmosphere in the early to mid‑2030s. ISAM is NASA’s initiative to involve private firms in on‑orbit servicing, assembly and manufacturing tasks.
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