NASA, SpaceX weigh invoking Dragon to take Hubble higher
(2022/09/30)
- Reference: 1664548150
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2022/09/30/nasa_spacex_hubble_dragon/
- Source link:
Though it may have been eclipsed by the launch of its successor, the James Webb Space Telescope, long-lived Hubble continues to gaze deep into the universe.
JWST specializes in infrared, versus optical and ultraviolet wavelengths, so the telescope functions [1]complement each other rather than overlap. To that end, NASA has tapped SpaceX for a feasibility study on how the private space company could service Hubble and boost it to a higher orbit at no cost to the US government.
Hubble launched in 1990 with an anticipated lifespan of 15 years and, thanks to the Space Shuttle servicing missions, continues to be scientifically productive. "All indications are that the telescope will continue operating into the late 2020s and possibly beyond," [2]NASA reckons .
[3]
This year alone it spotted [4]the most distant star in the universe , imaged the largest comet ever identified, and helped document the [5]DART probe's rendezvous with an asteroid .
[6]
[7]
So why not try to keep it up there? Hubble originally orbited at 600km but over the decades has fallen to around 540km. NASA would like to get it higher, perhaps extending its life by some 20-30 years before it meets a fiery death in the atmosphere.
SpaceX, working with billionaire and commercial astronaut [8]Jared Isaacman's Polaris Program, proposes performing the boost with its Dragon capsule, which otherwise ferries astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
[9]
The study will examine the technical hurdles involved in servicing Hubble by collecting data from both the telescope and Dragon over the course of six months. "This data will help determine whether it would be possible to safely rendezvous, dock, and move the telescope into a more stable orbit," NASA said.
The study is non-exclusive, meaning commercial options from other companies could be entertained. Northrop Grumman, for example, already has its [10]Mission Extension Vehicle , which grapples onto stricken satellites to provide attitude control and orbital maintenance.
[11]The years were worth the wait. JWST gives us an amazing view of Neptune's rings
[12]Startup wants to build a space station that refuels satellites by 2025
[13]James Webb Space Telescope finds first evidence of CO 2 in exoplanet atmosphere
[14]NASA uses occult means to spot tiny moon orbiting asteroid
"This study is an exciting example of the innovative approaches NASA is exploring through private-public partnerships," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "As our fleet grows, we want to explore a wide range of opportunities to support the most robust, superlative science missions possible."
Hubble was last serviced in 2009 by a Space Shuttle crew who fitted a "capture ring" intended for future visitors to hook onto the spacecraft and move it for controlled disposal. SpaceX's Dragon could potentially use the same device to do the opposite.
"SpaceX and the Polaris Program want to expand the boundaries of current technology and explore how commercial partnerships can creatively solve challenging, complex problems," said Jessica Jensen, vice president of Customer Operations & Integration at SpaceX. "Missions such as servicing Hubble would help us expand space capabilities to ultimately help all of us achieve our goals of becoming a space-faring, multiplanetary civilization."
[15]
Aside from the decaying orbit, Hubble is showing its age. Throughout 2021, the spacecraft was beset with technical issues. First there was a [16]month-long outage due to problems with a power control unit, then the loss of a synchronization message [17]put full science operations on hold until December.
Since there's no expectation of 32-year-old hardware working that well on Earth, let alone in orbit, there's every chance Hubble could perish before anyone can get there. ®
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[1] https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/22/jwst_neptune_images_faults/
[2] https://www.nasa.gov/content/about-facts-hubble-faqs
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60931100
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/27/dart_nasa_asteroid_oimpace/
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
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[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/19/inspiration4_spacex_landing/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/13/mev-2/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/22/jwst_neptune_images_faults/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/31/space-station-refueling/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/26/jwst_co2_exoplanet/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/17/nasa_polymele_moon/
[15] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2021/07/16/hubble_telescope_fixed/
[17] https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/07/hubble_space_telescope_restored_to/
[18] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
JWST specializes in infrared, versus optical and ultraviolet wavelengths, so the telescope functions [1]complement each other rather than overlap. To that end, NASA has tapped SpaceX for a feasibility study on how the private space company could service Hubble and boost it to a higher orbit at no cost to the US government.
Hubble launched in 1990 with an anticipated lifespan of 15 years and, thanks to the Space Shuttle servicing missions, continues to be scientifically productive. "All indications are that the telescope will continue operating into the late 2020s and possibly beyond," [2]NASA reckons .
[3]
This year alone it spotted [4]the most distant star in the universe , imaged the largest comet ever identified, and helped document the [5]DART probe's rendezvous with an asteroid .
[6]
[7]
So why not try to keep it up there? Hubble originally orbited at 600km but over the decades has fallen to around 540km. NASA would like to get it higher, perhaps extending its life by some 20-30 years before it meets a fiery death in the atmosphere.
SpaceX, working with billionaire and commercial astronaut [8]Jared Isaacman's Polaris Program, proposes performing the boost with its Dragon capsule, which otherwise ferries astronauts to and from the International Space Station.
[9]
The study will examine the technical hurdles involved in servicing Hubble by collecting data from both the telescope and Dragon over the course of six months. "This data will help determine whether it would be possible to safely rendezvous, dock, and move the telescope into a more stable orbit," NASA said.
The study is non-exclusive, meaning commercial options from other companies could be entertained. Northrop Grumman, for example, already has its [10]Mission Extension Vehicle , which grapples onto stricken satellites to provide attitude control and orbital maintenance.
[11]The years were worth the wait. JWST gives us an amazing view of Neptune's rings
[12]Startup wants to build a space station that refuels satellites by 2025
[13]James Webb Space Telescope finds first evidence of CO 2 in exoplanet atmosphere
[14]NASA uses occult means to spot tiny moon orbiting asteroid
"This study is an exciting example of the innovative approaches NASA is exploring through private-public partnerships," said Thomas Zurbuchen, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. "As our fleet grows, we want to explore a wide range of opportunities to support the most robust, superlative science missions possible."
Hubble was last serviced in 2009 by a Space Shuttle crew who fitted a "capture ring" intended for future visitors to hook onto the spacecraft and move it for controlled disposal. SpaceX's Dragon could potentially use the same device to do the opposite.
"SpaceX and the Polaris Program want to expand the boundaries of current technology and explore how commercial partnerships can creatively solve challenging, complex problems," said Jessica Jensen, vice president of Customer Operations & Integration at SpaceX. "Missions such as servicing Hubble would help us expand space capabilities to ultimately help all of us achieve our goals of becoming a space-faring, multiplanetary civilization."
[15]
Aside from the decaying orbit, Hubble is showing its age. Throughout 2021, the spacecraft was beset with technical issues. First there was a [16]month-long outage due to problems with a power control unit, then the loss of a synchronization message [17]put full science operations on hold until December.
Since there's no expectation of 32-year-old hardware working that well on Earth, let alone in orbit, there's every chance Hubble could perish before anyone can get there. ®
Get our [18]Tech Resources
[1] https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/22/jwst_neptune_images_faults/
[2] https://www.nasa.gov/content/about-facts-hubble-faqs
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[4] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-60931100
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/27/dart_nasa_asteroid_oimpace/
[6] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[7] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2021/09/19/inspiration4_spacex_landing/
[9] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[10] https://www.theregister.com/2021/04/13/mev-2/
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2022/09/22/jwst_neptune_images_faults/
[12] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/31/space-station-refueling/
[13] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/26/jwst_co2_exoplanet/
[14] https://www.theregister.com/2022/08/17/nasa_polymele_moon/
[15] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_offbeat/science&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33YzcSoYL172SvP86p179a6gAAAII&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[16] https://www.theregister.com/2021/07/16/hubble_telescope_fixed/
[17] https://www.theregister.com/2021/12/07/hubble_space_telescope_restored_to/
[18] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Insufficicent
Gene Cash
Sadly, the only spacecraft capable of that are now gutted museum pieces.
"Starship" might be able to do something, if kitted with an arm of some sort, but it's on "Musk time" so there's no idea when it'll be operational.
NASA is making do with what's available.
Re: Insufficicent
Robert Grant
> but it's on "Musk time"
Anything's better than "SLS time".
Re: Insufficicent
Yet Another Anonymous coward
Boosting it would at least mean not worrying for a few years.
You could also for a finite amount of money add a module to the docking ring with a self contained pointing system, with its own reaction wheels - the mechanical parts that are failing on Hubble. That could be done easily by a remote pod, like the auto iss cargo pods
Re: Insufficicent
Lars
Yes but JWST could also fail at any time sadly.
Re: Insufficicent
Excellentsword
As much is said in the article.
Insufficicent
Merely boosting the orbit of Hubble will not be sufficient to keep it going. It needs to be serviced and its electronics, computers and batteries must be replaced. In addition, its all-important reaction wheels that point and stabilize the telescope need to be replaced. Without replacing them, Hubble may fail at any time.