Doubt overshadows Hubble's 15th (Hubble telescope nearing its end?)

BBC News ^ | 04/25/05

[Erik Latranyi]

...nor is there anything better on the drawing boards.

What's the rush? Anxious to spend taxpayer money? Afraid the galaxy will go away or change rapidly?

Let's analyze what Hubble has collected (my understanding is that 80%+ of the pictures taken have not even been looked at) before we build the next generation.

You never know, perhaps we will find something in those pictures that would point the direction for the next space telescope.

[RadioAstronomer]

What's the rush? Anxious to spend taxpayer money? Afraid the galaxy will go away or change rapidly?

As a matter of fact, yes.

For example, if the tools had not been in place for SN1987A, we would have lost a possibly unique view into distance calculations of the universe itself. There are once in a lifetime (sometimes once ever) events that would be missed.

And no I am not trying to "spend" money. Keeping Hubble alive will save money. Think of how much it will cost to replace it.

[poindexters brother]

My understanding of the HST situation is that it isn't a matter of money.

There is simply no way to fix it right now. The shuttle is grounded and until that breaks loose, there is no mechanism short of a new manned space program to get an astronaut up there to replace the gyros and other mechanisms that need replacing.

TM

[RadioAstronomer]

There is simply no way to fix it right now. The shuttle is grounded and until that breaks loose, there is no mechanism short of a new manned space program to get an astronaut up there to replace the gyros and other mechanisms that need replacing.

The argument by some (not me BTW), is that even after NASA starts flying again, a mission to Hubble will be too dangerous.

(No space station to use as a "life boat" if a Shuttle is damaged on ascent)