NASA, SpaceX to study ways to boost orbit of Hubble telescope

A combined optical/mid-infrared image, featuring data from both the NASA/ESA Hubble Space Telescope and the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope, shows M74, otherwise known as the Phantom Galaxy, in this handout image released August 29, 2022. NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope/Handout via REUTERS

(Reuters) - Elon Musk's SpaceX plans to fund a study with NASA to examine ways to use the space company's Dragon capsule to raise the Hubble Space Telescope's orbital altitude, which would extend its useful life, agency officials announced on Thursday.

SpaceX, whose Crew Dragon capsule ferries astronauts and cargo to and from the International Space Station for NASA, will fully fund the six-month study, NASA's science chief Thomas Zurbuchen told reporters during a short-notice press conference.