Revitalizing Hubble: A New Plan for Relocation and Lifespan Extension.

Two space startups, Momentus Space and Astroscale, have proposed a joint plan to relocate the Hubble Space Telescope to a higher Earth orbit and remove any threatening debris within the telescope's new orbit. The plan would involve a robotic mission, with Momentus' Vigoride space tug using Astroscale's rendezvous, proximity operations, and docking services to capture and raise the telescope's orbit by up to 31 miles. The companies' collaboration offers NASA a cost-effective way to extend the lifespan of the Hubble, which is currently healthy but will eventually re-enter Earth's atmosphere due to atmospheric drag.