[Boundless]

> A private company might be able to "fix" the 'scope
> for much less.

NASA could put up the price of the servicing mission as the
prize in a contest to figure out how to perform the mission
without a shuttle. Bert Rutan might win that bet.

Here's my prediction:
After the shuttle makes its next [uneventful] flight to the
space station, a group of astronauts will publically offer
to volunteer for a Hubble mission, if NASA is willing to
risk an orbiter. The drama. The suspense.

[af_vet_rr]

NASA could put up the price of the servicing mission as the prize in a contest to figure out how to perform the mission without a shuttle. Bert Rutan might win that bet.

NASA is working with the X-Prize group on additional competitions. I'm thinking the cost would be a lot cheaper, the plans simple and safer, than the shuttle.