Posted on 09/30/2022 1:11:37 PM PDT by Red Badger
Hubble has been orbiting the Earth since 1990 - NASA
The Hubble Space Telescope was launched in 1990 with an expected lifespan of around 15 years, but servicing missions and upgrades have seen it continue to gather important science observations to this day. NASA is now exploring how it can remain operational even further into the future with the help of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, which might be used to dock with the telescope and shift it to a more stable orbit.
Hubble currently orbits the Earth at an altitude of around 335 miles (540 km), though this is decreasing slowly due to atmospheric drag. Plans call for a propulsion module to eventually be attached to the telescope for a controlled re-entry and splashdown in the ocean, or to send Hubble into a higher orbit to keep it operational.
But SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft presents another possibility. The commercial space company has today signed an agreement with NASA that commits the pair to a feasibility study, exploring how the spacecraft could safely rendezvous with Hubble, dock with it, and shift it into a more stable orbit.
(Excerpt) Read more at newatlas.com ...
Hubbell Ping!...............
No mention of how much this contract is for, but will be worth it if under a billion.
Hard to make, hard to launch and much more expensive to build from scratch.
Then watch NASA administration cancel funding for the ground crew after it gets moved to a higher orbit.
Interesting. Its a useful asset , if it can function with moderate servicing even developing the know how would be a boon to SpaceX.
NASA is run by a Moron so you can rule them out
Agree. If the optics are still good (especially that huge main mirror), it would be a shame to lose it. Even better if they can replace the cameras.
Awesome!
A great telescope named after a great astronomer...
And the gyros. The remaining ones are degrading.
Good point. They were designed to be replaced, if we can get a crew there.
They might want to refurbish it when they are at it. The reaction gyros should be swapped out, at a minimum.
The obligatory SpaceX badassery gifs.
All the pictures look the same to me...moldy cheese.
Commission SpaceX to construct a robotic refurbishment/repair mission which includes orbital positioning.
If the robotics aspect is still too challenging, use a Starship to retrieve Hubble for reworking on Earth and relaunching into an improved orbit.
The less involvement of NASA the better.
There is no funding yet just nasa paying 1/2 and SpaceX paying 1/2 to do the study.
Hell yeah! A new and improved AI, comm, and navigational skin could keep the telescope (which is otherwise in great shape) up top and working for another 20-30 years.
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