NASA asks industry for ideas to save the Hubble Space Telescope from atmospheric drag

Summary

The Hubble Space Telescope is healthy but is being pulled down toward Earth by atmospheric drag, and NASA is considering options to extend its work. NASA is asking private space companies to propose ways to boost Hubble into a higher orbit, upgrade its capabilities, or safely dispose of it when its mission ends. Without intervention, Hubble could fall back to Earth as early as 2033 or 2034, after more than 35 years of discoveries.

Timeline

1. Space.com

   3 Nov 2026, 22:00 UTCSource ↗

   Space.com reports that the Hubble Space Telescope is healthy but is being pulled toward Earth by atmospheric drag, and that NASA is considering options to extend the telescope's work, including asking industry for ideas.

2. ScienceDaily

   4 Nov 2026, 11:22 UTCSource ↗

   ScienceDaily reports that NASA is exploring a plan to save Hubble from its eventual fiery plunge into Earth's atmosphere, is asking private space companies to propose ways to boost it into a higher orbit, upgrade it, or dispose of it safely, and says Hubble could fall back to Earth as early as 2033 or 2034 without intervention.