Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Servicing

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. NO PROPOSALS ARE TO BE SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE.

This notice is issued by the NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) to post a Request for Information to solicit responses from interested parties. This document is for information and planning purposes and to allow industry the opportunity to verify reasonableness and feasibility of the requirement, as well as promote competition. 

Background:

The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) remains a top astrophysical research facility in high demand (over 7:1 oversubscription) with 1000+ scientific papers a year (and growing), complementing the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the Roman Space Telescope (RST), and other observatories, with no replacement expected before ~2040.  Hubble’s unique UV/optical capabilities provide critical insights across the entire field of astrophysics, including solar system dynamics, the formation of other planetary systems, exoplanet atmospheres, cataclysmic phenomena throughout the universe, temperature and chemistry throughout and between galaxies, the life cycles of stars and evolution of galaxies.  Extending the scientific life of HST will extend the availability of its unique capabilities until the potential replacement, Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO), is operational. In addition, an on-orbit servicing activity to enhance the performance of the observatory or increase its resilience to the effects of aging will help minimize or eliminate the time gap between the existence of the HST capabilities and those of HWO. Lifetime analysis performed in July 2026 identified a 10% probability of reentry by September 2032, and 50% probability by December 2033. HST does not have a propulsion system and, without a servicing action, will ultimately experience an uncontrolled reentry.

Mission Options

NASA/ Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) is hereby soliciting information from potential sources for a potential requirement for orbital altitude increase, on-orbit servicing, and/or orbital disposal or controlled reentry for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). Information is sought about current and near-term capabilities to perform one or more of the following mission options:

1. Develop, test, and operate a servicing vehicle capable of capturing the HST in low earth orbit and boosting it to at least 600 km
2. Develop, test, and operate a servicing mission to HST to enhance its ongoing performance and increase its resilience and expected on-orbit lifetime
3. Develop, test, and operate a mission to HST to perform a controlled reentry disposal.

The requirement includes that the boost and/or servicing mission must not harm the HST and that this mission is expected to occur by 2032. 

GSFC would provide technical information about the HST, technical consultation with GSFC HST experts, and coordinated HST operations to facilitate rendezvous, capture, boost, servicing, and/or controlled reentry. The contractor would be expected to provide all other resources (including the launch vehicle, spacecraft, crew if applicable, and servicing vehicle mission operations) to successfully perform the mission. 

This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in response. The Government may not respond to questions/concerns submitted. The Government will use the information to finalize the RFP as necessary.

RESPONSES

As part of your response, please indicate your level of interest in responding to a potential solicitation for this requirement.

Interested offerors shall address any or all mission options stated above with the following requirements.

Your response should include, at a minimum:

Describe your ability to fully perform the mission option(s).

Responses should include:

• Name of submitter and contact information (institutional affiliation, E-mail address).
• Description of your ability to fully perform any or all mission options stated above
• Description of  your current level of experience or qualifications for each mission option by providing objective evidence of that experience or qualifications (specific but brief examples that clearly indicate the specific experience or qualifications). If you are unable to fully perform an activity, identify such is the case, and address how you may accommodate the area(s) that you cannot currently perform.
• The technical objectives of the envisioned demonstration.
• Description of the concept of operations and timeline for mission concept and completion
• Technical approach(es) for launch, rendezvous with and capture of HST and the current technology readiness level (TRL) of key components,
• Length of period docked with HST
• Control of the combined vehicle stack
• If boosting, amount of boost expected to be obtained, and the minimum altitude of HST that the service can be performed to achieve a boost to at least 600 km
• An assessment of the mission risk and risk to HST and risk mitigation measures.
• The earliest date you will be able to perform the service,
• The maximum HST body rates that can be accommodated during capture.
• An estimate of cost, payment schedule, and assumptions about your access to government facilities.
• A description of the monetary and non-monetary contributions/resources the respondent expects to need from NASA.
• A list of potential partners, including international partners, if any.
• Your business size and socioeconomic status under applicable NAICS codes.
• Respondents are requested to provide informed input on realistic and appropriate SB subcontracting and/or participation goals for the specific requirement. This type of feedback supports NASA’s market research and helps ensure the acquisition strategy is aligned with actual industry capability. Industry feedback is requested for:
• SB Subcontracting goals;
• Barriers that may limit SB participation, such as certifications, unique technical requirements, security needs, specialized tools, or high-risk performance areas and/or
• Strategies to increase SB participation, including:
  • Breaking requirements into smaller components
  • Identifying areas appropriate for subcontracting
  • Considering teaming or mentor protégé approaches

All comments or questions must be submitted electronically via email to Raymond Jones at Raymond.R.Jones@nasa.gov, no later than November 30, 2026 at 3 p.m. eastern standard time (EST). When responding reference 80GSFC27RFIHSTS.

All responses should be submitted as a PDF file, 12-point Times New Roman font where paragraphed, as well as single spaced pages with one-inch margins, No more than 25 pages in length.. Files should not be password protected.

Respondents may not submit export-controlled information, including International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) restricted information, in response to this RFI. If a respondent submits confidential and/or proprietary information in its response to this RFI,  the respondent must clearly mark the information accordingly. Because the purpose of this RFI is to gain awareness of commercial capabilities to boost on-orbit satellites, if a respondent chooses to submit confidential or proprietary information, the respondent agrees that the Government may use that information for future planning purposes. Any public discussion of the results of this RFI may disclose information about the identities of the respondents.

NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/procurement/regs/Procurement-Ombuds-Comp-Advocate-Listing.pdf

If a solicitation is released, then it and any additional documents will be available on Sam.gov. It is the offeror's responsibility to monitor this website for the release of the solicitation and amendments (if any). Potential offerors will be responsible for downloading their own copy of the solicitation and amendments, if any.