Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Servicing
Updated
Sources Sought from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, for work in Greenbelt, Maryland. Due Nov 30, 2026, 3:00 PM (UTC-5), 31 days left.
| Solicitation number | 80GSFC27RFIHSTS |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Aeronautics and Space Administration |
| Office | NASA Goddard Space Flight Center |
| Notice type | Sources Sought |
| Set-aside | None |
| Trade (NAICS) | Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715) |
| Place of performance | Greenbelt, Maryland |
| Posted | Oct 29, 2026 |
| Response deadline | Nov 30, 2026, 3:00 PM (UTC-5) (31 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar · Apple / Outlook (.ics) |
Federal prevailing wage rates for this place: Maryland Davis-Bacon and SCA wage determinations.
Description
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: Develop, test, and operate a servicing vehicle capable of capturing the HST in low earth orbit and boosting it to at least 600 km Develop, test, and operate a servicing mission to HST to enhance its ongoing performance and increase its resilience and expected on-orbit lifetime 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 i
The description continues in the official notice.
Contracting contact
- Raymond Jones · [email protected] · (301) 286-6294
- Anthony Z. Lyas Jr. · [email protected] · (301) 286-9100
As published on the official notice. Ask questions in writing and before any questions deadline the notice sets.
Is your business small enough?
For NAICS 541715, a business counts as small if it has no more than 11 employees (SBA size standard, with exceptions in the notes). This notice is not set aside, but the size decides your small business status on it. SBA table, current as of Oct 15, 2026.
Companies that win this kind of work
Federal contractors paid for research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences work, who also hold NASA contracts (last 12 months): possible competitors, or partners to team with.
- California Institute Of Technology $2.2 billion in this trade
- The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory LLC $1.9 billion in this trade
- The Aerospace Corporation $1.1 billion in this trade
- Lockheed Martin Corp $817.1 million in this trade
- Booz Allen Hamilton Inc $791.0 million in this trade
About the buyer
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration awarded $16.6 billion in contracts in the last 12 months; its biggest suppliers were California Institute Of Technology, The Boeing Company and Blue Origin, LLC. See what NASA is buying now.
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences contracts right now
There are 278 open government contract opportunities in this trade (NAICS 541715), 49 posted in the last 7 days; 32% are set aside for small businesses. The agencies buying the most are Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Most of the work with a stated place is in Maryland, District of Columbia and New Mexico. A notice in this trade gives a median of 56 days from posting to deadline; this one gives 32 days.
All open research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences contracts
Coming up in this trade
Planned contracts from the agencies' procurement forecasts, often months before a solicitation. Plans can change.
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