Aging NASA Telescope Could Reenter as Soon as Friday, Space Force Says

An aging NASA telescope may plunge back to Earth as soon as Friday after a failed rescue effort left the spacecraft drifting steadily lower, according to the U.S. Space Force. The telescope is now described as barely clinging to space, and its uncontrolled reentry would mark a visible end to a NASA science asset.

The spacecraft has been losing altitude as its orbit decays. An effort to rescue the telescope failed, leaving no path to arrest its descent and setting up a reentry that the Space Force is now tracking.

The Space Force reports that reentry could come as soon as Friday. The telescope is described as barely clinging to orbit, its path decaying toward Earth. With the rescue effort unsuccessful, the spacecraft is on course to fall from space in an uncontrolled manner.

The Space Force is monitoring the decaying orbit and tracking the telescope as it loses altitude.

The uncontrolled reentry of a NASA science asset serves as a visible reminder of orbital-debris and end-of-life risks, and underscores the Space Force's role in tracking objects as they fall. The failed rescue adds a note of avoidable loss to the spacecraft's final days.

Where and when the telescope comes down will be the week's reentry watch. The Space Force continues to track the decaying orbit as the possible Friday reentry approaches.