Chapter 1: Hubble's Enduring Legacy

Is it time for another mission to Hubble? Astronaut John Grunsfeld was captured during the last servicing mission in 2009, a pivotal moment in the telescope's history. Image credit: NASA. Despite being in orbit for over three decades, Hubble has defied expectations and continues to deliver breathtaking images and invaluable scientific data. This remarkable achievement for NASA is attributed to five servicing missions, each designed to repair, enhance, and prolong the telescope's life.

However, the final servicing mission occurred more than a decade ago, in 2009. All previous missions utilized the Space Shuttle, which could maneuver around Hubble and capture it with a robotic arm. With the Shuttle's retirement in 2011, those capabilities have been lost, making the prospect of a sixth servicing mission seem increasingly unlikely.

As a result, Hubble is now operating under the strain of thirteen years of wear and tear. Engineers are particularly concerned about the telescope's gyroscopes—six instruments crucial for maintaining its orientation and rotation. Three of these gyroscopes have already failed, and a fourth failure could significantly hinder Hubble's functionality.

Another concern is the gradual decline of Hubble's orbit. Even if the gyroscopes remain operational, the telescope is ultimately doomed as it will eventually encounter denser layers of the atmosphere, leading to a fiery re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere in a decade or two—though the exact timing remains uncertain.

Fortunately, NASA is considering a new plan to once again service Hubble, a concept suggested by SpaceX. The company inquired about the feasibility of a private mission to the telescope. Although specific details are scarce, it seems this mission could be part of the Polaris Program, a series of ventures funded by billionaire Jared Isaacman.

SpaceX proposes to utilize its Dragon capsule to dock with Hubble, employing its engines to elevate the telescope's orbit. This maneuver could delay Hubble's re-entry, potentially extending its operational life by another decade. However, the task of repairing the gyroscopes is considerably more complex. Historically, NASA astronauts conducted spacewalks to access such components, but no private spacewalk has ever been executed, and NASA has been hesitant to entertain this option.

Spacewalks are among the riskiest activities for astronauts and require extensive preparation and specialized training, which is likely beyond the reach of paying space tourists.

This proposal can be viewed as an effort to assign a more productive role to space tourists. The Axiom-1 mission, a recent private trip to the Space Station, faced criticism for the disruptions caused by its crew. It remains unclear whether space tourists can genuinely provide significant contributions in this context.

A straightforward robotic operation to elevate Hubble’s altitude could be performed at a fraction of the cost. However, a thorough servicing of the telescope will necessitate professional astronauts to minimize the risk of damage. While repairing Hubble would be a significant achievement, it appears that tourists would merely accompany the mission without playing a meaningful role.

This article was initially published by The Quantum Cat, a newsletter dedicated to space and science. Subscribe for free today!

Chapter 2: The Future of Space Tourism

Chapter 3: Implications of Private Missions

Section 3.2: Challenges in Spacewalks

content text here...

Subsection 3.2.1: Safety Concerns