[saganite]

In other words, real science can expect to suffer (as always) because it's important to maintain the illusion of a manned space program.

[RightWhale]

the growth of science in NASA has been in the 5-7% range

LOL

We can buy anything in America.

[talleyman]

Translation: "You can ask for Pluto, but we're gonna hand you Uranus..."

[Doctor Stochastic]

Griffin Tells Astronomers To Lower Expectations

Lower as in Beneath the Moon or Just Over Everest?

[randog]

...questions like "What is dark energy?"

[KevinDavis]

Excellent...

[TheForceOfOne]

A little off base but it is an Astronomy thread.


The Celestron SkyScout makes great use of GPS. Look at the night sky through this handheld gizmo and it can tell you what you are looking at. The screen gives you the name of the star, the planet, etc. and it will also talk to you and give you the same info. Since it’s knows the date, the SkyScout can also tell you what’s available where you are and tell you which way to turn to see particular objects. (You follow the arrows in the viewfinder) If you like, you can download new tours and data to an SD card via computer. Now when you look up in the sky you won’t have to guess at what you’re seeing. Coming in March for under $400.

SkyScout

[agere_contra]

The first people to establish a stable base at the lunar pole (where the ice is) will own the next century.

NASA seems to be doing the right thing, bizarrely - though probably too expensively as usual. Anyway: science is one thing, but the high ground needs to be seized.

[SunkenCiv]

Griffin drew applause when he reminded his audience that he reversed a decision by his predecessor not to send another space shuttle mission to service the Hubble telescope... [b]ut he cautioned that the final Hubble servicing mission, tentatively scheduled before the end of next year, will be launched only "if at all possible." And he said bluntly that there is no way from an engineering standpoint to mount a robotic servicing mission, as former Administrator Sean O'Keefe opted to do, that could do more than deorbit the telescope safely before it is expected to become uncontrollable.

The Hubble can be relaunched using a Big Dumb Booster, but only brought back to Earth using the Shuttle (at this time). If it can be brought down, it should be refitted a bit, to make it easy to upgrade and repair in space suits and/or by robots, so that it need never be brought down again. The alternative is to build a big enclosure, launch that, deactivate the Hubble, bring the Hubble inside the enclosure, and shut the door. When possible, the repairs and upgrades can be done in a shirtsleeve environment in orbit, then the Hubble can be returned to service, and the repair station moved lower and out of the way.