[Congressman Billybob]

It will cost additional hundreds of millions of dollars to "de-orbit" the Hubble. Why not sell the Hubble to Richard Branson for $1, since he has developed a cheaper method of going from here to there.

The private contractor just might be able to salvage the Hubble, which the gummint cannot. It's worth a go.

Congressman Billybob

Latest column, "Terri Schiavo, Requiescat in Pacem"

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Interesting thought! Though I think this one will be NASA's clean up job.

But, more and more technology and services are going to be bought from the private sector.

[6SJ7]

I like that. Salvage rights. Private space exploration will ultimately be the way to go. The free market will always find the most expeditious means of solving a problem.

[kidd]

Richard Branson developed a way to get into space, but he did not develop a way to get into orbit.

Hubble is the size of a bus and is moving faster than a bullet.

[airborne]

OOPS! You had the idea first. I should have read the whole thread first.

[airborne]

OOPS! You had the idea first. I should have read the whole thread first.

[RadioAstronomer]

The private contractor just might be able to salvage the Hubble, which the gummint cannot. It's worth a go.

Sorry. The lifting capability just does not exist in the private sector.

[Paradox]

I was thinking the same thing, sell it to someone, I had thought of Rutan et al, or even to the Russians. I am not an expert on orbital mechanics, and I know its more complicated than it sounds, but how about just sending a little booser to boost it into a slightly higher orbit for the time being, then put the thing into sleep mode or something. NASA doesn't even have to do it, let someone else handle it.

[r9etb]

Why not sell the Hubble to Richard Branson for $1, since he has developed a cheaper method of going from here to there.

He hasn't.

[mission9]

Or sign a contract to lease the telescope to a corporation, foundation, or university. New technology on the drawing boards makes even ground based telescopes a viable hubble option.