NASA asks industry to help save the Hubble telescope

NASA wants help saving Hubble. On Oct. 29, the agency issued a formal Request for Information. It's asking companies to propose fixes. They could boost the telescope into a higher orbit. Or service it in place. Or guide it through a safe, controlled reentry. The reason is urgent. Hubble's orbit has been slowly decaying for years. NASA says the odds of a crash now exceed its own safety standard.

Hubble's orbit is decaying, and NASA is turning to commercial companies for a way to extend its life. Any mission would need to happen before 2032. For firms in the servicing business, Hubble would be a very high-profile target.

Keep reading — what to watch

Will any company actually step up? Or does this just become a planned disposal instead? Responses are due Nov. 30. But a Request for Information is NASA testing the market. It isn't signing a check yet. The real test comes next. NASA will see whether anyone's proposal is serious enough, and affordable enough, to fund.