NASA telescope to re-enter Earth's atmosphere after 22 years
The short version
- The satellite was launched in 2004 and was designed to last two years.
- Attempts to raise its orbit failed, leaving it in a decaying trajectory.
- The observatory has observed over 2,000 gamma-ray bursts and 1,400 supernovae during its 22-year mission.
- NASA is exploring commercial options to service the Hubble Space Telescope, which faces a similar fate in the 2030s.
What we don’t know yet
- Location of any surviving debris after atmospheric burn-up.
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How coverage grew
First reported by NASA NASA Explores Potential Commercial Servicing for Hubble Telescope
Ars Technica Think you can save the Hubble Space Telescope? NASA wants to know.
Toronto Star NASA telescope is on the verge of plunging back to Earth after failed rescue mission
CTV News NASA telescope might plunge back to Earth on Friday: U.S. Space Force
All 11 articles
- New York Post, right-leaningMassive space telescope to crash to Earth after failed rescue attempt: ‘What goes up must come down’
- The Guardian, left-leaningNasa telescope launched in 2004 to plunge back to Earth after failed rescue mission
- The Times of India, right-leaning1.5-tonne Nasa observatory to re-enter Earth today; debris may fall in India
- The Verge, left-leaningA truck-sized NASA space telescope is about to crash to Earth
- NDTV, left-leaningNASA Telescope To Fall On Earth: Mumbai, Hyderabad In Possible Debris Zone
- CBS News, left-leaningNASA telescope is plunging back to Earth after 22 years in orbit
- The Verge, left-leaningNASA hopes the commercial space industry can help save Hubble
- CTV News, centreNASA telescope might plunge back to Earth on Friday: U.S. Space Force
- Toronto Star, left-leaningNASA telescope is on the verge of plunging back to Earth after failed rescue mission
- Ars Technica, left-leaningThink you can save the Hubble Space Telescope? NASA wants to know.