Future of Hubble
Things are not looking that good for the Hubble Space Telescope these days:
From
Space.com news: Congress Frets Over Saving Hubble Project
bq. Saving the Hubble Space telescope may be too expensive and dangerous, lawmakers said Wednesday after hearing from scientists who are split on the best way to repair or retire the cosmic camera.
bq. The chairman of the House Science Committee said Congress needs to decide whether the 14-year old telescope, renowned for its inspiring snapshots, is worth the cost of repair -- estimated to be as much as $2 billion.
bq. "We have to make hard choices about whether a Hubble mission is worth it now, when moving ahead is likely to have an adverse impact on other programs, including quite possibly other programs in astronomy," said Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y.
Very good point - there is a lot of emotional attachment to the scope but there are a lot of other amazing programs being done and if we spend the money to refurbish the Hubble, what programs will we have to give up down the road. I'd say give it a Viking Funeral and build its replacement -- bigger and better!
Posted by DaveH at February 2, 2005 1:33 PM