This 1990 photo shows the Hubble Space Telescope being deployed from the Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-31.
Source: NASA
SpaceX and billionaire astronaut Jared Isaacman are working with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration on a private mission to investigate whether the life of the famous Hubble telescope can be extended.
NASA signed a contract with Elon Musk’s The company and the Isaac Mann-led Polaris program will use the SpaceX spacecraft to dock with the telescope and study the possibility of altering its orbit to extend its life, the companies announced Thursday.
NASA science director Thomas Zurbuchen said at a press conference that SpaceX approached NASA with the idea “a few months ago.”
“Hubble is doing amazingly well. It’s healthy and doing great science as we speak,” said Zurbuchen.
NASA expects the Hubble Telescope to be retired by the end of this decade based on its current orbital decline. The spacecraft has three gyroscopes that stabilize it, according to the agency. NASA estimates that if the Hubble telescope were moved to higher altitudes and closer to where it began in space, the telescope could run another 15 to 20 years.
“This research asset is of tremendous value not only to us, but to others as well, so it’s perfectly appropriate to see this,” Zurbuchen said.
Zurbuchen said the agreement between NASA and SpaceX does not include a “transfer of funds” and that “SpaceX is funding its own participation.”
The study will last six months as SpaceX investigates how its Crew Dragon capsule can dock with the telescope and what changes, if any, are needed while NASA collects technical data from Hubble. Continue.
Payments company founder Isaac Mann Shift4, SpaceX’s first private flight took off last year I purchased 3 more flights from Elon Musk’s Company – called polaris.
While the study doesn’t guarantee a mission to Hubble, Isaacman said a possible flight “certainly falls within the parameters we established for the Polaris program.”
“[Hubble is] It’s probably one of the largest exploration assets in history,” said Isaacman, adding, “This research has broad applicability.”
NASA’s Hubble was launched over 30 years ago It has helped astronomers make numerous discoveries over the decades. In particular, NASA flew the astronaut’s five missions to repair and replace complex spacecraft parts using NASA’s own Space His shuttle vehicle.
The Polaris Dawn mission crew, left to right: Medical Officer Anna Menon, Pilot Scott Poteet, Commander Jared Isaacman, and Mission Specialist Sarah Gillis.
Polaris Program / John Krause
The Isaac Man program’s first mission, called Polaris Dawn, is scheduled for March, when Isaac Man will once again lead a four-man crew in orbit in the Crew Dragon capsule. The culmination of the program is expected to be his third mission, which will be the first crewed launch of SpaceX’s Starship rocket.
Isaacman previously outlined three objectives for the Polaris Dawn mission. It’s about reaching the highest orbit that humanity has ever flown, performing a spacewalk outside of the Dragon spacecraft, and using Starlink’s Internet satellites for communications.
The Polaris Dawn crew is currently training for launch. CNBC recently joined Isaacman to experience how his team uses fighter planes Prepare for space flight from his personal fleet.