--- title: "Hubble Space Telescope Faces Potential Collision with Earth's Atmosphere" url: https://newscentral.site/hubble-space-telescope-faces-potential-collision-with-earth/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-11-06T12:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-08T08:01:51.382Z id: c7c61ffb-85e8-481f-813f-4c47181f58b1 source: "New Scientist https://www.newscientist.com/article/2597221-hubble-space-telescope-is-falling-to-earth-should-nasa-save-it/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/hubble-space-telescope-faces-potential-collision-with-earth/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Hubble Space Telescope Faces Potential Collision with Earth's Atmosphere Researchers are warning that if NASA fails to intervene, the Hubble Space Telescope could burn up in 2032 due to atmospheric drag. A crisis is unfolding for the Hubble Space Telescope as it slowly drifts out of orbit and towards a potentially catastrophic collision with Earth's atmosphere. Researchers are sounding the alarm, warning that if NASA fails to intervene, the ageing instrument could burn up in 2032, leaving a significant gap in scientific capabilities. The telescope has been a vital tool for astronomers since its launch in 1990, despite an initial setback due to a design flaw in one of its mirrors. Despite this early hiccup, Hubble has gone on to yield an astonishing number of scientific breakthroughs, with more than 23,000 peer-reviewed papers published using data from the telescope. This is a testament to its enduring value and importance for advancing our understanding of the universe. The problem facing NASA is that Hubble requires regular servicing and orbit adjustments to maintain its altitude, as atmospheric drag causes it to lose height gradually over time. The telescope relies on gyroscopes to adjust its position in space but lacks propulsion capabilities of its own. As NASA weighs its options for dealing with the Hubble Space Telescope's impending descent towards Earth, it has become clear that a rescue mission is unlikely to be undertaken by the space agency itself. This is due in part to the retirement of the shuttle fleet, which was the primary means by which the telescope was originally deployed and could potentially be used to salvage it now. Without this capability, NASA's options are limited. Meanwhile, the space agency has issued a call for proposals from commercial companies to devise a plan for either raising Hubble's orbit or safely de-orbiting the telescope and allowing it to crash into the ocean. The deadline for submitting these plans is 30 November, and companies will need to demonstrate that their proposed solution can raise the orbit of the telescope to at least 600 kilometres. The space agency has estimated that there is a 10 per cent probability that Hubble will re-enter Earth's atmosphere by September 2032, with this likelihood increasing to 50 per cent by December 2033. NASA is actively seeking innovative solutions to prolong the lifespan of the Hubble Space Telescope, which is expected to re-enter Earth's atmosphere in the near future. The space agency has announced that it is open to ideas from within and outside its organization, with a call for proposals that outline a comprehensive plan for saving the iconic telescope. According to NASA officials, any private company interested in taking on the mission would need to provide all necessary resources, including a launch vehicle, spacecraft, and crew. This requirement underscores the significant undertaking involved in rescuing Hubble from its impending doom. Despite issuing a similar call for ideas two years ago, which yielded eight submissions but no concrete plans, NASA remains committed to exploring alternative solutions. A panel of scientists, led by Thomas Haworth at Queen Mary University of London, is advising NASA on the best course of action. Interestingly, their discussions have revealed that re-boosting Hubble's orbit is a more pressing concern than maximizing scientific output before its eventual demise. The possibility of saving the Hubble Space Telescope from its impending demise has sparked debate among experts. According to NASA officials, a recommendation on whether to re-boost Hubble's orbit is still being finalized and will likely be submitted soon. Once this recommendation is made, NASA is expected to make a swift decision on whether to proceed with a boost mission. This planning process alone could take years, making timely action crucial in determining the telescope's fate. Hubble's unique capabilities have earned it a special place among space observatories. Its ability to capture high-resolution ultraviolet images far surpasses that of other instruments currently available, including the James Webb Space Telescope and the Euclid telescope. The launch of new telescopes such as the Ultraviolet Explorer in 2030 and the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) in the 2040s could potentially mitigate some of the losses if Hubble is allowed to burn up in 2032. However, cancellation of these projects would have far-reaching consequences for future scientific endeavors. Launching a mission to physically retrieve the Hubble Space Telescope will be an incredibly challenging task due to its massive size and weight. The telescope stands at 13 meters long and weighs over 12,000 kilograms, making it a formidable object to handle in space. According to experts, attempting to repair or salvage the Hubble could have significant benefits beyond extending its operational lifespan. It would allow scientists to maintain key skills necessary for future space exploration and exploitation, which is crucial considering the current limitations of space travel. Researchers like Mark Norris at the University of Lancashire, UK, have already benefited from Hubble's archive of images. Norris was previously funded by the telescope's budget to study ultra-compact dwarf galaxies, and his work built a foundation for his career. The Hubble Space Telescope's instruments are slowly deteriorating due to exposure to the harsh conditions of space. Despite being over-engineered and receiving numerous maintenance services, the telescope's components are still degrading, but its longevity is a testament to the thoroughness of these repairs. A final servicing mission ensured that all systems were functioning properly before it was left in orbit. NASA administrators will have to weigh the costs of keeping Hubble operational against other priorities, including any mission aimed at boosting its orbit and ongoing maintenance support. If saving Hubble makes sense financially, it could be done by cutting funding for other projects, such as LISA, a plan to build a space-based gravitational wave detector. --- Source: [New Scientist](https://www.newscientist.com/article/2597221-hubble-space-telescope-is-falling-to-earth-should-nasa-save-it/?utm_campaign=RSS|NSNS&utm_content=home&utm_medium=RSS&utm_source=NSNS) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/hubble-space-telescope-faces-potential-collision-with-earth/