NASA is launching a robotic “rescue” mission to save a telescope observatory that is expected to re-enter Earth’s atmosphere. Multiple outlets report that a three-armed spacecraft has or will launch into orbit to rendezvous with the ageing telescope while it is still in space. The robot is designed to secure and tow the telescope into a safer, higher orbit before it can burn up during re-entry.
Sources describe the effort as a salvage operation involving a space robot that can act as a lifeline for the falling instrument. CBS and NDTV place the planned start of the operation “as soon as this week,” while France 24 and others add that timing has been influenced by weather, with a subsequent launch attempt scheduled after an earlier delay.
The mission is presented across reports as high-risk but feasible, using NASA-funded technology intended to prevent the telescope from crashing back to Earth. The total cost cited by some sources is about $30 million for the salvage effort.
