NASA issued a Request for Information on Oct. 29 to learn more about industry capabilities for in-space servicing of the Hubble Space Telescope, the agency said. Administrator Jared Isaacman said Hubble "still has important science ahead of it" and that cost-effective ways to extend the life of an asset already in orbit should be explored.

The request seeks commercial interest in three areas: a mission to boost Hubble to a higher altitude to extend its science lifetime, servicing to enhance its capabilities, or a safe, controlled re-entry into Earth's atmosphere or orbital disposal at the end of the mission. Nicky Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, said commercial industry has rapidly evolved in recent years to offer new capabilities for in-space satellite capture and servicing. Responses are open until 3 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 30.

Like all spacecraft in low Earth orbit, Hubble's altitude is slowly decreasing because of atmospheric drag, and it has no propulsion system to maintain its own orbit. NASA cites analysis predicting Hubble is likely to re-enter the atmosphere in the 2033 to 2034 timeframe, and anticipates a mission would need to take place by 2032. Hubble, a project of international cooperation between NASA and ESA, has operated for more than three decades. Goddard Space Flight Center manages the telescope and mission operations, with Lockheed Martin Space also supporting mission operations at Goddard.