Hubble Reentry Forces Science‑Policy Choice

Hubble’s accelerating orbital decay (current altitude ~326 miles) makes an imminent policy decision unavoidable: either fund a technically difficult reboost (and accept the cost and operational risk) or plan for a controlled deorbit and manage reentry/debris and scientific succession. The uncertainty is driven by variable solar flux and by the absence of an announced NASA reboost mission, even as private projects (Eric Schmidt’s Lazuli) promise replacement capability. — This forces public discussion about state capacity to maintain long‑lived scientific infrastructure, liability and debris management for large spacecraft, and how private flagship missions should (or should not) substitute for government stewardship.