– Billionaire Jared Isaacman, commander of the private Inspiration4 SpaceX mission in 2021, has proposed upgrading the aging Hubble Space Telescope via a private SpaceX servicing mission.
– Hubble is over 30 years old but still functioning well. However, it is gradually sinking into lower orbit and some systems have failed. A servicing mission could potentially extend its operational life by decades.
– Isaacman’s Polaris Program offered a feasibility study proposal to NASA in 2022 to conduct the first private spacewalk to service Hubble. NASA solicited other proposals but details have not been released.
– Some NASA emails expressed concerns about risks of a private mission servicing such a valuable asset as Hubble. Challenges include lack of private spacewalk experience and complexities of Hubble repairs.
– Isaacman believes upgrades could keep Hubble operating effectively through the 2030s and refutes concerns, saying necessary expertise and precautions would be in place.
– The feasibility of a private Hubble servicing mission remains unclear as no decisions have been announced since the initial 2022 proposal. Hubble is still conducting science but its long-term future is uncertain.
Source: Space
