About this Article

Julia Roman-Duval (duval[at]stsci.edu)

Published April 24, 2026

Hubble remains an indispensable resource for the astronomy and planetary science communities as it approaches the end of its fourth decade in operations. The current dynamic landscape, with facilities that have complementary and synergistic capabilities (e.g., JWST, Roman, UVEX, Lazuli) and evolving funding constraints, motivate an examination of Hubble's science priorities to maximize the use of its unique capabilities and its science output into the 2030s. 

Estimates of Hubble's current orbital evolution point to a likely atmospheric re-entry in 2033. The possibility of a boost, which would require planning and funding to start in FY27, could expand Hubble's lifetime into a fifth decade, and support the astrophysics and planetary science communities with unparalleled high-resolution, high-sensitivity ultraviolet-optical capabilities through the 2030s. Broad, timely community input is crucial. Therefore, STScI is engaging with users now to help focus Hubble’s future scientific portfolio.

Specifically, STScI is requesting community input in the form of white papers, which address the following questions:

1. Which key science questions require Hubble's unique capabilities, either on their own or in synergy with other missions, over the next 10 to 15 years?
2. Which instrument capabilities and operational requirements (e.g., resolution, observing mode, calibration accuracy) are required to answer these questions? This includes changes to current operational constraints (e.g., explicit focus on particular science areas, such as exoplanets or transient phenomena). 
3. How can Hubble best help prepare for and support the development of a super-Hubble, the Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO)?
4. Are there major initiatives and large-scale observing programs that would be particularly scientifically powerful in the coming years for providing important data to the community?

We invite you to read more about the capabilities and current status of HST.

Submitted white papers will assist STScI and the HST Project Office at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) as they work with the community to implement trade-offs that maintain a high level of cost-effective scientific productivity and impact. The outcome will be a roadmap for the programmatic, operational, and scientific future of Hubble through the 2030s.

White papers should be limited to no more than 5 pages (excluding references) and submitted as a PDF. The deadline for submission is May 22, 2026.

Please contact the HST Help Desk with any questions or issues related to this call for white papers.