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January 26, 2005
The Fate of Hubble
For almost 15 years, 12 years fully operational, the Hubble Space Telescope has been providing unique and amazing views of the universe, producing a wealth of scientific information. Now near the end of its original design lifetime, plans for further repairs and instrument upgrades have been in limbo in the aftermath of the Columbia accident. Many options have been proposed, but funding may be limited by the new priorities in our space program, and another shuttle mission could be riskier than originally thought. What do you think?
Voice your opinions on Hubble here, and NSS will personally communicate your messages to NASA headquarters!
Posted by apsmith at January 26, 2005 12:30 PM
Comments
Even though the Hubble telescope has greatly increased our knowledge of the universe, I feel that we should now concentrate on the President's Vision for Space Exploration. This means eventually developing the crew exploration vehicle and advanced space propulsion techniques. There are ground based telescopes that are in the planning phase and they will adequately replace the Hubble. We have been hanging around in low earth orbit for 30 years. It is time we went back to the moon and on to Mars!
Posted by: Richard Howard at January 26, 2005 06:55 PM
Wish Hubble could last forever but, tight funding must be earmarked for newer telescopes.
Posted by: Keith E. Peters at January 26, 2005 08:32 PM
!!!!!!!!SAVE HUBBLE!!!!!!!!!!!
Under NO circumstances must this fantastic instrument be allowed to die.
Cut the budget for the space station, the war in Iraq, Home Land Security etc etc.We have a ready made space station, it is called the Moon.
I do agree with the posted comments of Richard and Howard but we cannot afford to throw away a working instument.
SAVE HUBBLE!!!
Regards
John
Posted by: John Walker at January 27, 2005 03:32 AM
With the wealth of information the Hubble telescope has provided us with, I hope that you can make a fair decision about it's future. I hope that you can keep it around until, at least, the next generation of space based telescope is deployed. Whatever the outcome, I can only say Thank You for continuing to carry on the name of Hubble into history. Job well done!!!!!
Posted by: Gregory Thalmann at January 27, 2005 07:43 PM
I have followed the space program since 1958. In all that time, NASA has always been a scapegoat for budget cuts even though they have helped completely change our view of our world, and the universe, they have also made life better here with the accompanying spinoffs.
I believe that the loss of Hubble will make this situation worse. It could create an 'out of sight, out of mind' mentality in the minds of many people. This works especially in favor of those who want to kill off the entire space effort. One cancellation will lead to another!
For the sake of the next generation, who have a lot of enthusiasm for this kind of discovery, and our positive feel about ourselves and the future, I urge you to use the means we have at hand, to sustain the Hubble Telescope in orbit and in operation.
Posted by: Gerald Conrad at January 27, 2005 08:53 PM
I appreciate the information Hubble has provided...I even appreciate the fact that with sufficient upgrades, Hubble could easily last well into our current century, much as the B-52 Bomber has survived from the mid 1950's.
However, we live in an unfortunate society that, unlike what President Kennedy said, instead, "Ask not what I can do for my country, but what can my country do for me with me utilizing the least amount of effort." Space funding only makes up 1% of our national budget, and there is no sign of that changing, unless by some miracle all of us were suddendly voted into office.
Despite what the little remembered show, "Futurama" predicted, the Hubble can not last until the year 3000.
Our funding should go to getting fully self sufficient colonies on the Moon and Mars. Humanity's chance of extinction must be reduced, lest we never learn the truth of our insignificance and...
Boldly go, where no human has gone before.
Besides, with that thought in mind...we'll need reconnasciance with a new generation of telescopes that will make Hubble look like a 3rd Grade Science Project... ;)
Posted by: D Gordon at January 27, 2005 11:36 PM
I advocate the repair and upgrade of Hubble, and I am also a huge fan of the new Vision for Space Exploration.
A robotic mission is far too costly and the chances of a successful repair and upgrade are far too low. Send the Shuttle back to Hubble one more time. We can afford a slight delay in ISS assembly to have a Hubble mission and another Shuttle on standby for a rescue mission.
I do not know how we can say we are willing to send astronauts to the Moon, Mars, and Beyond if we cannot risk sending them to LEO. These exploration missions won't have safe havens to fall back on.
Hubble's scientific advances are worth maintaining at nearly any cost. It has changed the way we look at the universe, and its iconic status to the general public can not be overlooked.
Posted by: Ryan Caron at January 28, 2005 12:25 AM
I recall my excitement when the first pictures from hubble were made available on the web. Finally, I got something in return for the many many tax dollars I had paid, and it was very cool. Do i want to give that up? NO! Access to Observational spectra outside earths atmosphere is important and should not be terminated in favor of inflating someones ego by sending man somewhere in space. I fail to see the relevance of sending man to the Moon or Mars at this time. Suggestions have been made about how the location of hubble could be changed so maintenance missions would cost less, and those suggestions should be followed.
Posted by: Mike Conlee at January 28, 2005 12:29 PM
I was thinking that if the American government is not willing or able to fund the entire cost of repairing the Hubble space telescope, perhaps at least some of the necessary funds could be raised from private donors, and/or from governments of foreign nations. These contributions could be rewarded through public recognition, and giving major donors some role in adminstering the Hubble project. If NASA is not able to service the Hubble in time, perhaps it could be, at least partially, serviced by the European Union, the Russians, or some other foreign group. On the other hand, if NASA is able to assume primary responsibility for servicing Hubble, perhaps private donors and foreign governments could play a secondary supporting role. Although I am a patriotic American citizen, I feel that the Hubble research is too important for the whole of humanity to let American national pride stand in the way of saving this project.
Posted by: Barry at January 28, 2005 03:03 PM
I firmly beleive that the Hubble Space Telescope has been (and should continue to be) one of the most productive missions in the history of space exploration. It continues to produce new and amazing discoveries on a regular basis.
To continue this work is of real importance to sience and the human race. I beleive the best and cheapest way to continue this work is to carry out a manned repair mission WITHOUT using the space shuttle. At the very least a 2 man mission in a russian capsule would be able to change batterise and install gyroscopes to keep the telescope running through to 2012 or so when a more ambitious mission could be carried out including instrument upgrades. It could be a 2 part mission, where an aditional hardwere module to be simply strapped on the side of the telescope is sent up on a small rocket (atlas, etc). this should have thrusters and guidance of its own, and place itself in a parking position close to the telescope. The 2 man crew would then show up and attach the module and hook up the cables. I would predict the total cost would be no more than launching 1 small satelite and one space station supply mission. I don't see why the billion dollar pricetag is necessary.
I don't blame NASA for not wanting to spend the sort of vast sums of taxpayers money a shuttle mission represents, I beleive THAT is a waste of money.
Posted by: John Pearson at January 28, 2005 04:39 PM
Being 63 years old and retired,i will never get to see anyone get to mars.Space travel beyond mars may never take place.I am amazed at the facts and pictures of what space is and what the Hubble telescope reveals.I think that the elder
should at least to know what's out there.I would rather my taxes go for something that i will see in my life time.I would even be willing to let the Gov.take part of my refund to help out to get the Hubble back in GO MODE.
Posted by: Richard Wood at January 28, 2005 06:03 PM
It is incredible this story about the end of the precious life of our dear space telescope HUBBLE! We CANNOT afford to loose this magnificent tool which has performed the most magnificent tasks for the cosmos exploration on all levels imaginable! The last time the crew of the Space Shuttle went to space to fix some gyros and batteries on the HUBBLE, I was following every step about it... Now,if the problem is lack of sufficient funding, let's ALL of us do something about it. To throw the HUBBLE over the Pacific Ocean, after all its accomplishments and discoveries out there during these almost 15 years, would be a tremendous defeat and humiliation we cannot afford to accept. Let's do something, PLEASE!!!
Maria B Thome(President,National Space Society, Brasilia-Brazil)
Posted by: MARIA B THOME at January 28, 2005 06:16 PM
Hubble gives us something which few other things can, and which is extremely important and precious at this moment:
A sense of perspective.
When we see the delicate and massive distances unfolded before our eyes, we realize both how small and also how promising we are, and I believe in those moments we can see beyond the petty and self-destructive actions of this tiny moment on earth.
In this sense, I believe Hubble's perspective-lending science has *more* of a positive effect on our sense of urgency and vision towards escaping the fate that our society's short-sightedness may yet bring down upon our only home.
I simply cannot fathom the perspective which sees the combined, almost humanitarian effort to save Hubble -- and the sense of preciousness and perspective that it lends us -- as less worthy than short-term technical efforts towards getting a colony going. While I agree with the importance of reaching beyond Earth, I believe that unless we have gained the sense of how truly rare and beautiful this world is and how vast is its surroundings, we will simply recreate the same short-sighted mistakes there.
A colony on Mars at the expense of our own sense of perspective will be merely a myopic reproduction of the same short-term instincts that have brought us to this moment of decision. I feel that we decide not only for Hubble, but for a complex web of impressions it makes on us, as a species, at a pivotal moment. Hubble, and the view it lends us, should be as pivotal and important to an American as the Liberty Bell or the Constitution... but beyond us, we also need to realize that Hubble speaks in a language that all with eyes can understand; and we all share a world that grows smaller, and more fragile, by the day. The sooner we allr ealize it, the sooner our steps beyond Earth will find responsible passage.
It is no longer about NASA, or this Administration, or the United States, or even Hubble; it is about Earth, the universe, and realizing our place in it while we yet may.
- Heath Rezabek
- Children's Librarian, Denver CO
Posted by: Heath Rezabek at January 28, 2005 06:46 PM
Hubble Space Telescope has proven to be among mankinds most profound achievements. It has lived well beyond it's designed lifecycle. It continues to do great work. It has no replacement for another 5 years or so. Losing the HST leaves a void in the coverage of the spectrum, but more importantly, the loss of the brain trust that does the science with the data received. These people are specialists that we need to keep in continuation for the next generation of instruments. If a mission is required to install the deorbit module, why not do the whole job? I understand the replacement parts already exist.
I am not a member in the scientific community, and therefore don't have a specific interest. My desire is to understand the cosmos. It is important for humanity to understand our place in the universe. Even at 6.5 billion we humans are rare, special, and important. Wouldn't it be worth a penny a person on earth to understand that?
Sadly, as a lesser compromise thought, what also makes sense is at least the preservation of the instrument. If we can't or won't fix it, then boost it up far enough up for our children to go get later. It seems a real travesty to be a penny wise and a pound foolish.
Posted by: Bill Wiedel at January 29, 2005 08:13 AM
There are many NSS members who want the Hubble telescope repaired and its life extended. I understand where they are coming from. Hubble has given us views and knowledge of events that have happened over 10 billion years ago. It has basically become the standard instrument for cosmologists. The sad fact is that there is a limited amount of money available for space endeavours. NSS members are dedicated to making humanity a space faring and multiplanetary species. To accomplish this, we must use the available funds to get us beyond earth orbit and out into the solar system. This means completing the Space Station, creating the crew exploration vehicle, and developing advanced propulsion systems.
There are at present projects that will, when completed, advance our knowledge of the cosmos in the same manner that the Hubble has. The Allen telescope array being built by the SETI Institute will advance SETI research enormously and might result in the first detection of a signal from an extraterrestrial civilization.
There are several Space telescopes that will be put into orbit within the next 10 years. One will be able to image earthlike planets in other star systems. These are incredible endeavours that will fundamentally change our world-view as a species. The Hubble has done its job. It is time we went forward and become a space-faring species.
Posted by: Richard Howard at January 29, 2005 08:15 AM
Why not hire the Russians to send a mission to Hubble? If they are charging $20 million dollars to take passengers to the space station, pay them several hundred million dollars to take a astronaut or two to Hubble to repair the telescope. That would save the US taxpayers a great deal of money and give our new allies the Russians some business.
Posted by: Mike T at January 29, 2005 01:51 PM
HUBBLE MUST BE SAVED!
The value of this scientific instrument is emormous. Just think of the data that has been learned from the deep field images ALONE.
Mark
Posted by: Mark at January 29, 2005 02:11 PM
We should not let a magnificant piece of machinery like Hubble be allowed to die. We most definitely should find some way to give Hubble the maintenance it needs. The idea of a colony on Mars is good, but not worth the cost of letting such a wonderful instrument fall into the ocean from lack of maintenence. I think the mission for a colony on Mars should be moved back a few years so we don't let Hubble and all it can do for us go to Waste.
Posted by: Clifton Janecek at January 29, 2005 09:05 PM
One of the things I have always enjoyed about America was our ability to seek and find solutions to hard problems. Why when it comes to the Hubble telescope are things different? No one can disagree with its value. Every effort should be expended to save this telescope for all humanity.
Posted by: David at January 30, 2005 12:32 AM
I'm the private citizen who suggested a robot
probe be sent to Hubble to either repair it,
or move it into another orbit.
It gave me hours of delight to see I was ment-
ioned in an article by Spaceupdate.com.
The Hubble telescope has done a wonderful job
of bringing the universe into our homes, and
to destroy it would be a shame to humanity.
While upgrades can improve Hubble's perform-
ance, I think they should be made.
As with any technological device, there comes
a time when it becomes obsolete.
When that time comes, I would like to see the
Hubble telescope in a museum, either in DC or
perhaps in an isolated orbit.
The problem with performing upgrades is that
the government is in charge of the decision.
God, I can't believe this country elected
Bush. But with any beurocrosy, time and money
is spent on committees rather than doing what
needs to be done.
As I stated when I sent my letter to NASA, if
every interested person sent just $1.00 to
a fund to upgrade Hubble, the endeavour would
be more than paid for.
It amazes me that the Japanese can develop a
3 foot tall humanoid robot that can WALK, for
entertainment purposes, but America is unable to fund or develop a robot that could potentially fill a great role in our exploration of space.
Posted by: Kevin McNamee at January 30, 2005 06:28 AM
Hubble has served its purpose, and is nearly at the and of its intended life. Let go of the old, and bring in the new. It is more important to pursue our objective of making us a space faring people than to take pretty picture of distant stars. Onward to Luna and Mars, and let Hubble come down. We must use our valuable and limited resources to put humankind in space, instead of making for orbital Kodak moments. I much prefer to visit exoctic places when I go on vacation, rather than look at pictures of them. The same is true of space. I want to go there, and not pay for only the pictures.
Posted by: Ron Curry at January 30, 2005 01:01 PM
Hubble is a truly remarkable instrument and retiring it makes no more sense than retiring the 200 inch Hale telescope at Palomar. Hubble has seen only a fraction of its potential and should be kept in service. The problem is how.
The recent success of the X Prize and Space Ship One indicates that private enterprise can solve problems that the overnment can not. I would like to see a consortium created that would take ownership of Hubble and with it the responsibility of its maintenance and operation. The consortium could consist of major universities like CalTech, MIT, Prinston etc. as well as major corporate entities such as Microsoft, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, Hughes etc. A good place to start looking for design ideas would be Scaled Composites and Rutan and his brilliant staff of engineers. They have consistently shown that they are up to very chalenging tasks. I think the jury is still out as to whether maintenance should be performed by robotics, a human crew or both but I suspect that a privately held consortium can solve the problems quicker and more economically than a government agency. It's worth a look and considering the alternative of letting Hubble die it is a viable approach.
Chuck Ivie
Planetarium Facilitator
Victor Valley College
Victorville, Ca.
iviec@vvc.edu
Posted by: Chuck Ivie at January 30, 2005 06:22 PM
The danger to a crew is not now greater than it was on previous missons to upgrade and repair Hubble.To fail to repair HUBBLE is political cowardice. I am certain that a crew can be found to take the risk.
To increase NASA's budget for a mission already planned(the new gyro's,etc. are ready)is REQUIRED!
To hold the Moon and MARS flights for ransom cannot be allowed. Is the future of the human race dependent on HUBBLE? NO. We(humanity) need to get beyond LEO, but abandoning HUBBLE will not help to do that.
If something must be abandoned let it be ISS. IT IS A MONEYPIT AND UNNEEDED! Without ISS the only use for the SHUTTLE is HUBBLE!We can skip the Moon and go for MARS.(see Zubrin about MARS DIRECT) The budget may not allow for everthing; but keep the good(HUBBLE), lose the bad (ISS and SHUTTLE),and go for what's needed:a Heavy Launch Vehicle and deep space capablity.
Posted by: William Jaeger at January 30, 2005 10:22 PM
I am sitting here looking at photos that I have purchased that were taken by the Hubble. I cannot fathom that once we have achieved this we can just give it up. Should we also let television and cars go because they cost money. We have entered a new way of life and need to do what we can to continue it. I have also seen the alternatives offered, to build another system in the orbit of the ISS. Why in the orbit of? Why not as part of? That would eliminate all extra costs.Every re-stocking flight could "include" needed parts, and the station personel could do the work. It couldn't be any harder to design it as part of the ISS then to design a seperate orbiting system in the plane of and near the ISS.
It then could be monitored regularly, and attended, to as needed.
What other reason to have a space station than to observe space?
Posted by: Rich Glaettli at January 30, 2005 10:40 PM
I think the Hubble should not be the focus of our space program. Lets focus on returning to the moon, but more importantly landing a human on Mars by 2020.
Posted by: Phillip Larson at January 31, 2005 11:43 AM
I've been enjoying the pictures that have come through the Hubble Telescope since it was put into space. It makes me feel that we're not alone and that if we can see them (other worlds)they can see us. Please don't take that away from us. The government fund's wars but has decided that it can't afford to fund a wonderful project like the Hubble Telescope. Shame on you Bush!
Posted by: Helen Adams at January 31, 2005 01:05 PM
Hubble matter much more than a bunch of bureaucrats realize. Astronaut crews have repaired Hubble in the past and they can continue to do so. If the ancient explorers went into mass panic the way NASA does whenever something goes wrong, then the "new world" may have never been discovered. If they want to trash Hubble because of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, then don't let some irresponsible birdbrain over there lose $9 billion dollars and get away with it.
Posted by: Dave Kisor at January 31, 2005 06:37 PM
The Hubble Telescope should definitely be saved! We should use the Space Shuttle to fly a repair and restore mission ASAP. The development of a robot to affect the repairs was too expensive and too uncertain--we need humans to perform such operations. Astronauts are ready and willing to conduct a repair operation using the Shuttle Vehicle. The Shuttle is about to be returned to flight, and I think that the repair and restoration of the Hubble should be a priority mission considering the Hubble's value to science.
George Phelps, League City, Texas
Posted by: George Phelps at February 1, 2005 10:48 AM
The Hubble has been a major contributor to the international science community, and should not be considered as solely an American asset. In that spirit, perhaps an international effort to save it should be mounted. The Russians clearly have a manned launch capability, and the Chinese have an emerging one. A collaborative effort would be a clear demonstration that the community can effectively mobilize and deal with scientific issues of global import. Or, if we can't muster our national resources to even support a collaborative venture, perhaps we ought to offer the Hubble as a free asset to anyone with the motivation to reach out and claim it.
Posted by: Harry Quandt at February 1, 2005 02:07 PM
I believe that Hubble needs to be saved. Congress and NASA have forgotten all the good science that the telescope has done and can still do. There is currently no replacement for the telescope. It would be like throwing away your old glasses before you purchased new ones. Congress and NASA have also forgotten that the general public does not support space exploration because they like reading dry scientific reports in journals. They support it because they get excited by photos of what is out there. And Hubble has done a lot to ignite the general public's imagination.
Even though there are some of us who would support space exploration no matter what, the sad fact is that the general public has to be sold on the idea. They get bored easily. James Cameron is right. NASA has to do more to get the general public behind the idea. Hubble is an excellent way to do this. The repair mission would be followed by the public just as they have followed the Mars Rover missions and other recent missions that have provided the public with photos. The public does not follow missions that don't provide photos. The public loves photos. Period.
I also believe a manned mission is the only way to go. There is not enough time to develop and test a robotic system. Additonally, American astronauts need as much experiece as possible in making repairs in space. In the future they may have to make repairs to the Shuttle, ISS or some future space mission such as a trip to Mars. It is better to learn lessons now on the Hubble, than to wait til people's lives are at stake. Some people have the attitude that space exploration is routine, this could not be farther from the truth. Man spent centuries sailing near the shore before venturing out into the open ocean. We need all the practice we can get, and to do that we need the public behind the effort.
The United States was once the undisputed leader in space exploration. Everyone else is now catching up. Do we want to remain the leader or do we want to watch other nations pass us by? When future discoveries are announced on the news, do we want them made by other nation's telescopes or ours? If man does go back to the Moon or to Mars, do we want the astronauts to be Americans on American spacecraft or do we have to bum a ride from others? Only if the public supports space exploration will we remain the leader. We need Hubble to maintain the public's interest.
Posted by: Dale Wagner at February 2, 2005 11:34 PM
The Hubble Telescope should definitly be saved. Instead of trying to go the costly, non-tested robotic version, a human servicing mission should be the answer (until the robotic technology has advanced enough).
The idea of bringing Hubble down to the ISS sounds reasonable and sound. It is clear that most astronauts, people at NASA as well as the public worldwide are generally in favor of saving Hubble.
Why does Congress and NASA not request financial help/participation in a servicing mission. I am sure that most countries would want to be part of "Hubble - The Extended Mission". I hope Congress does not forget that sometimes it is good to ask for help and can result in a broad range of positive longtime returns, e.g. new cooperations with other countries, especially the G20 countries and the EU (see Cassini-Huygens colloberation).
I hope Congress can see the positives in an international effort and recognise the importance of Hubble! :-)
Posted by: Andreas Hechler at February 3, 2005 05:36 AM
Suppose there is a power station, with solar panels, ion propulsor, food, water, air, plants, repairing tools and material, etc., all emergency and necessary backup stuff.
Send this power station to a convenient place, either by rocket or by space shuttle, or half half.
After servicing the HST, let the shuttle dock to or assemble the power station. Well trained astronauts fully double check the shuttle which is like old car now, do necessary repair, then go home.
Suggest they do this checking before going home in each flight.
Posted by: Hubble Fan at February 4, 2005 11:05 AM
I think the USA administartion should save HUBBLE if they really stand for what they claim to be...
Posted by: Ioan Gartner at February 5, 2005 01:57 AM
HST is one of the most profound tools I use almost daily when I teach Earth Space Systems. The images alone are worth thousands of questions from eager students. To shorten the program by bringing HST down is a tragic move on the part of NASA and the US g overnment.
A recovery and update mission is worth the price. The shuttle should be up and running soon and this is a mission the astronauts can accomplish.
I realize newer missions will also be launched. That is a good thing.
It is time for the US to f irmly stand to return to space.
It is time to repair and update HST.
And it is time for us to return to the Moon and begin the big push to go to Mars.
In 2030 I will be in my 80's. I grew up with the Apollo crews walking on the Moon. I really want to be alive when we walk on Mars...
Robbie¿
Posted by: Robena D. Robinett at February 5, 2005 11:52 AM
Yes, I support efforts to save Hubble. I am a high school Earth Space Science teacher.
The images help me better explain space to my students.†
Posted by: Tom Hutson at February 5, 2005 11:54 AM
WHY NOT GET HUBBLE TELESCOPE AND TAKE IT TO ISS AND KEEP IT THERE AND USE IT.
Posted by: TERRY QUESNELL at February 5, 2005 11:17 PM
i'm reading some great ideas and thoughts here. i agree that we need to keep hst in top working order. i agree that it still has many discoveries to make. proximity to the station may be a good situation, if this is feasible.
Posted by: glenn at February 7, 2005 03:21 PM
Support the President's "Vision" for space exploration over the Hubble? I think not! Hubble is a tangible, operational piece of hardware. The President's space plans are nothing but political bull. Any space technology program with a 20-30 year time-line will NEVER survive annual funding challenges. He is as serious about funding a manned Moon and Mars program as his is about education and the environment.
Hubble is one of the most wonderful instruments of discovery that we have ever created. To let it die because we want to fund a cynical political fairy tale is obscene.
Of course there are risks to humans when ever they fly in space, but those risks are part of the business of exploration. Have we become so risk-averse, so afraid that we can no longer take a chance on anything, even if it is something worthy and nobel?
I pray that we haven't but I already know that we have.
Posted by: Monte R. Johnjulio at February 7, 2005 03:35 PM
I think it makes fiscal sense to scuttle Hubble now. But I believe we need 100 Hubbles in our solar system beaming back the highest quality images and audio and readings from space.
I believe the space program has a few things they must succeed at, and those are manned missions to Mars with future colonization efforts, moon colonization, permanent space stations, 100 Hubble-like telescopes positioned throughout our solar system beaming back images of the cosmos, and the creation of a security net that both accurately tracks asteroids and comets and can obliterate them if they are on a collision course with our planet or any of our future inhabited space assets.
So let's put Hubble in a museum with the coolest visual display ever playing on a huge Imax screen next to it and get on launching more Hubbles to farther and farther positions in the solar system. NASA is lacking a vision recently and shuttle tragedies have hurt it immensely.
We need our space program to be bold, bolder than ever and they need to push toward those goals. And it needs to be perceived in that way (being bold and making progress toward concrete, big idea, goals).
Imagine a moon base needing more than 10,000 people to inhabit it and keep it running. Imagine every human having access to the cosmos either through 100 telescopes positioned throughout the solar system or being a part of a permanent colony on a nearby planet or moon. Imagine, 1 billion people or greater inhabiting large developments on the moon or Mars or in gigantic space stations. It doesn't have to fiction forever.
Imagine being able to blast a killer asteroid before it ever even reached our solar system. Imagine every person in the world having the ability to watch the universe on their television or computer in real time, with real time data, and audio. Think of what scientists can do with all that data readily available. Imagine the possibilities and get on with it.
Posted by: Michael at February 7, 2005 04:29 PM
The Hubble telescope is a very valuable instrument and must be saved and upgraded. Any more money we put into it will be well spent, newer scopes may and should be launched and this one kept and used to its utmost capacity. We have been twideling our thumbs far too long and should go ahead with all possible speed with space exploration and developement. If the human race is to survive much longer we need to be able to spot and stop big bad objects from hitting the earth as they have many times in the past.
David Warner
Posted by: David Warner at February 9, 2005 01:26 AM
The Hubble Telescope may be old and need replacement.... and, t may be risky to "fix" it..., but why destroy such a landmark piece of history! Shouldn't we even consider a lower cost way of "saving" the spacecraft? - ...even if it's useful life is coming to an end? With our current capability and technology there should be relatively simple way to boost the Hubble's orbit. Perhaps testing some new technology in the process. For example, why not attempt to use a Hall-Effect engine robot to grapple the Hubble and tow it to a higher orbit until we can get back to it. The Hubble Telescope is a piece of history that should be preserved - not thrown into a flaming ball into the ocean.
Posted by: Karn Duke at February 9, 2005 07:07 PM
I think we should discuss alternative methods to repair the Hubble without using the shuttle of some undeveloped robotic technology..
One option is to use older technology to design a method to repair the Hubble. My idea is to use something similar to the Mercury and Gemini rockets and disposable capsule to send a single astronaut to the Hubble. The capsule will dock, the astronaut will use a tether to maneuver outside to make the repairs, then return to Earth making a water landing. There are a lot of details that need to be worked out, but with open minds and a little ingenuity the Hubble can be repaired for significantly less cost then other options.
I am interested in discussing the details of such a plan with interested people.
Posted by: Scott Martin at February 10, 2005 02:05 PM
Regarding the Hubble Telescope:
If I can salvage it...
...can I have it?
---MAS
Posted by: Mark A. Solis at February 13, 2005 03:36 PM
Hubble has and continues to reveal so many wonders of our Universe. Please don't allow it to burn up in our sky. Use NASA's new "Faster, Better, Cheaper" approach and put out a request for bids for the best way to SAVE HUBBLE---then "Make it so!", as a great 24th Century Starship Captain would say.
---Kevin Caruso
NASA JPL Solar System Ambassador,
Author of "Back To The Moon"
Electrical Engineer
Posted by: Kevin Caruso at February 15, 2005 10:56 PM
Having just read the article about the future of space exploration and renewed emphasis on the moon by Jeffrey Liss, Senior Vice President of the National Space Society, I couldn't help but wonder... Would it be advantageous and plausable to "relocate" the Hubble to the surface of the moon? Perhaps retro-fit it to become a "land-based" telescope with the advantage of viewing space without the interference of Earth's atmosphere. There, it would complement the building of a land-based space station and be readily accessible for future maintainance without the dangers of a dynamic docking in space. Additionally, because the Hubble would be continued in operation, and capable of both space & land-based observations/photography, it could possibly be "relocated" again to an orbit around Mars, or Saturn someday.
Posted by: David E. Fournier at February 16, 2005 01:56 PM
we havent even explored half the earth. so why r we spending billions of dollars on space where we arent even living. there is thousands of things to be discovered under the ocean.
Posted by: Space Boy at February 17, 2005 11:30 AM
Bush has a misguided vision of America. His idea of space exploration is wastng money, which we don't have because of that war. Theres more than half of the world we havn't explored. and also I think that for the amount of technolgy that we have theres not much more that we can discover rite now. Why not use that money to better explore our Earth or better America. Because right now america is going down the drain and exploring space isnt helping at all. Take it out !
Posted by: Inky at February 17, 2005 11:32 AM
To become a space faring nation and explore the heavens, we should commit to always having a space based telescope. Either Hubble must be maintained or replaced with another visual range capable telescope.
Posted by: Tom Wiley at February 17, 2005 01:26 PM
We can repair the Hubble with no problem, but that is not what I believe is important to NASA or humankind at this time. Because of Hubble, we are more inspired to go into space. But, there are bigger and better days ahead for humankind's journey into the cosmos. It's time to "leave the cradle."
Posted by: Brant Madsen at February 17, 2005 09:44 PM
FIX IT, PROTECT IT, SAVE IT, WE NEED HUBBLE TELESCOPE. It is an inspiration to everyone. I enjoy seeing the new pictures and listening to the new information learned from HUBBLES view of space.
Posted by: Gary B Buttram Jr at February 19, 2005 06:57 PM
Q: What do T.T. Brown and Dr. Paulo Correa,
.. Drs. Guenter Nimtz, Lijun Wang and Lene Hau,
.. and Haisch, Rueda and Puthoff
.. have to do with saving the Hubble Telescope?
A: If anybody would ever listen to these people,
.. or at least read the physics journals of the
.. past fifteen years,
* WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THESE [CENSORED] ISSUES *
because we'd have the PROPULSION that would make
people see rockets for the obsolete piles of junk
they already ARE, and HAVE been for DECADES.
But who's listening....
From yours truly,
Mark A. Solis
(as in "1994 ISDC")
P.S.: And would you guys PLEASE stop prefacing
all your replies with "Einstein said...." Get
over the guy already. This is a hundred years
later, in case nobody noticed.
Just READ the journals will you....
Sheesh....
Posted by: Mark A. Solis at February 21, 2005 12:09 PM
The shuttles are to dangerous and a newer safer vehicle needs to be implemented to take space travel seriously past the "science project" fart box phase.
I don't even like the solarsale or scramjets either. Something with sheliding and gravity manipulation would be proper (anti-matter?).
This is tuff for allot of people because we wont be able to peer into deep space again in our lifetime but I think the newer space goals from Nasa are more realistic to achieve what I'm saying.
So, if we invent an anitmatter vehicle then people should calm down more about this.
Posted by: Mark at February 23, 2005 09:06 AM
With the Hubble space telescope again scheduled to be decommissioned, I would like to suggest an observing program for it’s last few weeks of life. Current mission rules prohibit aiming the telescope closer than 45 degrees to the Sun. I assume this is to prevent damage should unfiltered sunlight accidentally reach the detectors. NASA should consider relaxing this rule for the last few weeks of Hubble’s life. If the instruments were damaged the loss would be small since the telescope will shortly be out of service anyway. For just a few weeks at the very end it could image Venus and Mercury and search for Vulcanoid asteroids. Not much to loose if the instruments get damaged and possibly a lot to gain.
Posted by: Peter Campbell at February 23, 2005 11:11 AM
Why dont you add the cost of fixing it to its cost of duplication, and sell it? After repair, use the money thats left to drill holes in martian permafrost or prototype solarwind/ion hybrid engines or prototype 3D imagers or something and we (as a people) can continue to benefit from Hubbles wonderful output. I think that letting it drop into atmosphere is criminally unimaginative.
Posted by: Bill Larson at February 23, 2005 01:09 PM
I believe that the Hubble telescope should be saved as the information it receives serves to advance hard science, our fundamental understanding of the universe, the framework on which our technology is build. Space technology is very important as well, and the Mars and Lunar missions are sure to advance it, but the missions can not serve the scientific community in the same way as space research. The current administration has cut so much funding to institutions doing scientific research (not to mention it has distorted and blocked many of these group's findings), which will ultimately (if only indirectly) affect the hastily planned Mars and Lunar Missions. I really think that such a mission to save the telescope is worth the risk. After all, can one really expect the manned planetary missions to work out perfectly, without a hitch? I am confident Mr. Bush' 'concerns' are merely another attempt to cater to the naive everyman & everywoman out there, an issue of morality.
Posted by: Bryan Day at February 23, 2005 05:44 PM
I believe there is too much political bias in some of the comments here.
Posted by: Brant at February 25, 2005 05:48 PM
I read with interest that the government proposed sending a vehicle to Hubble to latch on and guid it to a "safe area" above earth to "crash it into the sea".
Seems to me if they can do that then why not stear Hubble near the I.S.S. for repair and outfitting in a "safe area". This would save Hubble, set the way for repair of other space items and overall save a valuable tool.
Posted by: Theodore Lyman at February 27, 2005 11:04 PM
I read with interest Mr. Theodore Lyman's comment
regarding NASA's plans for Hubble. With that in
mind, I'd like to propose the following:
1. Let's send an RTV(Remote Teleoperated Vehicle)
to Washington to latch on to NASA Headquarters.
2. Tow NASA Headquarters to a "safe area outside
Washington."
3. Crash them into the Potomac.
What's good for the goose, and all that....
(We don't *need* Hubble? Well, we don't *need*
NASA either, now, do we....)
Warm regards,
Mark A. Solis
(as in "1994 ISDC")
P.S.: NASA is---
(1) shutting down ISS
(2) dumping Hubble
(3) still grounding Shuttles
(4) launching satellites overseas
(5) ignoring TRIED AND PROVEN new propulsion tech
(6) AVOIDING developing the next generation of
space shuttles
Who needs these guys?
I sure don't....
Do you?
Posted by: Mark A. Solis at February 28, 2005 09:39 AM
HERE'S AN IDEA FOR HUBBLE:
The Hubble Telescope needs its own dedicated pop
format magazine in general distribution. Hubble
pics, Hubble News, Hubble tech, Hubble letters,
Hubble on the Net, Hubble everything.
Turn Hubble into A CELEBRITY!
The proceeds from magazine sales can go directly
into Hubble Operations. (The IRS actually makes
provision for such things.)
Surely there is some media-savvy person Out There
who can swing it...and turn it into reality...
before The Big Splash renders the idea academic.
Hey, it works for Hollywood....
Chow guys,
Mark A. Solis
(as in "1994 ISDC")
Posted by: Mark A. Solis at March 3, 2005 10:03 AM
I'm going to miss the Hubble Space telescope. As the first of it's kind astronomy instrument, it has revolutionized our views of the universe. I don't think it is in the cards to rescue it, but I do wish that NASA would push it into a higher orbit to save it for future posterity instead of destroying it in a reentry manueuver. I fully suspect that humanity will be even more amazed by the results of the Webb space telescope (the planet finder), should they succeed in finishing it's construction, launch and operation.
Posted by: David Plummer at March 6, 2005 05:18 PM
If hubble is decommissioned does it become space junk where-as anyone with a few bucks and the means can claim it? Hmmm what a foolish notion.
Posted by: Yahawahay at March 9, 2005 04:10 PM
It strikes me as ludicrous that NASA would choose not to continue its most productive science mission. Especially at a time when NASA is looking for 'wins' anywhere it can find them.
Exploration is their mission and Hubble provides a great 'bang for buck' ratio. Hubble is also amazingly consistent. What more could be ask? While the ISS is a feat of international cooperation, when you stack up the meaningful science accomplishments between Hubble and ISS, there is no doubt which truly furthers science and humans understanding of the universe. Which will also provide the most meaningful science data going forward on a science value versus / cost ratio? Hubble.
I believe it's time for all parties involved to accept that the ISS is NEVER going to fully achieve what was once envisioned for it. I do not advocate its abandonment, but the time has come to scale back the expectations and resources it currently consumes. For while we (internationally) keep throwing money at it, other, possibly more important/beneficial missions and projects go under-funded or postponed.
I will never understand why NASA doesn't have some sort of weather monitoring station of Mars. Or why for the love of Pete didn't they install some sort of air mechanism to blow dust off the rover’s solar panels? Why are they not sending probes of in every direction amassing as much information about our planet, solar system, ect? Why do we not have an orbiting presence around every planet in our solar system? (Science pursuits should drive our world, not consumerism.)
These are all rhetorical questions, I know why, money. But in my opinion, for every dollar NASA spends they should ask themselves this one question. 'For this dollar, how can we obtain the most scientific value?' Humans yearn for exploration, not oxygen scrubber maintenance.
I can only hope that the new NASA Administrator, (Heck, I would post my interest in the position if I only knew how =), asks themselves which mission means more, both scientifically and culturally, to earths citizen's? And then decides that it is in this world’s best interest to send the servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope.
Posted by: Jason Starr at March 9, 2005 05:01 PM
I have read that the current director of NASA has arbtrarily decided that a repair mission to Hubble is too risky. That he lied about having prepared a risk analysis report, and that he is ignoring several viable options for reducing the "risk" of a space walk for repairing this revolutionary science instrument. There are reasonable alternatives to allowing Hubble to drop into the Pacific. I say "Repair Hubble!", and drop the director of NASA into the Pacific instead. (altitude arbitrary)
Posted by: Bennett Dawson at March 10, 2005 11:46 AM
Save Hubble! How can we spend so much on the great eye in the sky only to trash it out. Resorces are so limmited as it is. It would be a disgrace on the hole human race if we let it die. At the very least send it to the moon and use the resorce at a later date. What happend to recycle? Still it would be much better just to keep it working. I think it could be used to watch the manned spaceflights to the moon or mars, and provide instant feedback for the mission.
Posted by: anthony krause at March 15, 2005 10:40 PM
The Hubble Telescope gave us all a very good view of the universe in which we live. However 12 years of full fuctionality is pluntey. Money is now urgently needed for the plans to send manned missions to Mars. The Stars at the edge of our galaxy are a goal to shoot for. Yet manned exploration and colinization of the planets in our solar system is the priority now.
Posted by: Gordon Angelino at March 17, 2005 09:41 PM
Hubble must be saved to keep alive and excited the hopes for continued research efforts in Space Community.
Posted by: Sriram Penumatcha at March 19, 2005 08:19 PM
I think Hubble should be saved for the additional years of valuable science it can do. I don't understand how one can say that a crewed mission to repair Hubble is too risky while advocating crewed flights to the Moon and Mars. Wouldn't those longer distance, longer duration flights be much more risky? I'm not against future flights beyond LEO, but lets put the horse before the cart. Save Hubble first!
Posted by: Daniel Sorkin at March 22, 2005 04:17 PM
I remember as a boy of 8 years old, watching two men walk on the moon. I was fixed for hours at a vacuum-tube powered black and white TV set. Myself, along with a million others like me. With simple "seat-of-the-pants rocket science" we did the very thing that people dreamed of doing from as far back as man has looked up to the sky. "We went there." We set a goal, came together, and put ourselves on the moon. We did the unbeleivable in just ten years.
The average american tax payer, like myself, is well aware of the cost and the benefits that the Hubble telescope has brought us as part of our nation's space exploration. We didn't let govenrment spend that amount of resources on a moon shot simply for the sake of boasting a technilogical victory over communist countries, as history nuts would have you think. Or, to just let things fall by the way-side after reaching the moon. It was done for the sake of learning, seeking knowlege, and doing what we do best. "Doing the unbeleivable." We are a nation of free thinking and doing people. Our desire then and now, is to explore and learn. That is our gift that was given to us by our fathers before us. I can't speak for all people, but as for myself and all the people I know, we should get our selves back in gear and go to space, beyond the moon. The Hubble telescope is part of that process and has proven as valuable as any space project we've ever done. Not just for the knowledge of the universe, but for study and knowlege of our own planet as well.
Millions of us have the dream of going there and seeing space first hand. But for most of us, we realize that our drerams will only come from tools that are extensions of our senses. Tools like the Hubble space telescope. We use those images and science gathered with those tools to understand and learn. I would hope that we would not be left blind, by allowing it to fail fail. At least not without giving it our best shot.
Tools like theHubble telescope spark our imagination, desires and dreams. They teach us and show us things that help us now and in the future. They make us more aware of what is around us, and give us the ability to think on a grander scale. Tools like this are priceless. These are also the tools that bring people together, aside from thier differences, to a common point. Our own space endevours have sparked this same desire in other nations and people. Through images from Hubble they too see and learn about our world and universe.
Lets not waste the tools that we have today. If I personally had the resources to do so, I'd gladly use them to fix the telescope. And I would even buy my own place on any mission to do so. Even if it was only building the robot to service it, or a craft to bring it to a lower orbit where it could be maintained beyond the current estimated use time. It is well worth our efforts to save it for future science use and to bring our people the knowlge and benefit that is does. Even though we have a future telescope planned, there are never enough tools like this. It would continue to complement future space based telescopes as well. Repairing it is not beyond any accomplishment we have done in the past. The cost is not an issue when compared to the benefits. Finding the Engineers and technicians to pull it off is not a problem. I'm an electronics Engineering Technician myself, and would gladly do what I could wihtout question. There is really no excuse not to keep it working. Any good Engineer, smith, mechanic, seamstress, chef, or any oprofessional and layman alike, would tell this one common sense saying: "Never through away a good tool that can be fixed". Just like the fact that you can never have enough screwdrivers in a toolbox, we can't afford to let this one simply fail and be destroyed. We have the ability and the knowlege to do it. Nothing stopped us from walking on the moon, why should somethign stop us from a much simpler task?
My thanks to anyone for taking the time to read this.
-Tom Lee (Engineering Technician, amateur astronomer and scientist)
Posted by: Tom Lee at March 25, 2005 02:26 AM
Thanks to Hubble and every scientist who took part on its launch. We'll be waiting for newest telescope and for manned space mission to the moon and to Mars.
|* * * * *
|..*/|\ ** *
|* ( * ) **
| *|| || *
|*/|| ||\ * *
|/_|| ||_\* *
|. */_\ * * *
|.*/{|}\ * * *
|*{/(|)\} * * **
|{{{{ }}}} **
--Andrew Gorokhov.
Posted by: Andrew Gorokhov at March 26, 2005 11:50 AM
If you give me an option to elect between Hubble and Voyager, ill choose Voyager, because it took 30 years to go where it´s now, and the Hubble is "only" a telescope.
I prefer saving the two projects, but i know sometimes things can be done the best way, only "the best we can".
Its a little off-topic, but seems to me that Nasa is shuting down everything out there, and that scaries me. If you can keep all proyects running, at least do "the best you can".
Greetings from Spain.
Posted by: Quique at March 30, 2005 02:12 PM
I think we should fix the hubble becuase it can teach us so much about space.We've landed on the moon and mars so why cant we simply fix a satalyte, it makes no sence. Wouldn't it be easier becuase the flight is so much shorter. I'm all for visiting other planets and learning more about the space that surrounds our tiny little planet, wouldn't it just make more sence to start small. Save my sweet hubble!
Posted by: emma at April 1, 2005 01:06 PM
While I would like to see a human presence on the Moon or Mars I don't understand Nasa's postion on scrapping the HST. The instruments are already built and standing by, all that is needed is for a single shuttle mission to extend its service life and capabilities. Even if it were't a wonderful piece of technology that has showed us so much and has so much untapped potential still left, it would be a terrible waste of money not to complete the upgrades . The HST should be saved!
Posted by: Michael Leeling at April 6, 2005 03:42 AM
Would some member of the NSS Board Of Directors
please contact Sir Richard Branson about mounting
a rescue/recovery mission to the Hubble?
Dr. Paulo Correa's power cell technology now has
made T. T. Brown's drive technology feasible for
the purpose. (Who needs rockets....)
Oh, where are the innovators? Oh, where are the
New Space industrialists?
Where the blazes are all those flying cars that
"Benji" Sisco was complaining about not seeing???
Why does it always take *STAR WARS* just to get
anything done?
Yo, Benji---I'm with ya, man.... ;)
Yours truly,
Mark A. Solis
(as in "1994 ISDC")
Posted by: Mark A. Solis at April 6, 2005 12:42 PM
We should maintain the Hubble until we get another telescope even better up there. The Hubble has opened up the universe to us and should continue as long as it is able. They repaired it before and can do it again. We waste so much time in our space program. We need congress to stop lining their pockets and put more money into the space program.
Posted by: Sandy Sapatka at April 7, 2005 02:44 AM
Want to save Hubble?
See this link:
http://www.geocities.com/reach_space_now/proposal.html
Now if only somebody would throw money at it....
Yours truly,
Mark A. Solis
(as in "1994 ISDC")
Posted by: Mark A.Solis at April 21, 2005 02:12 PM
It would really be a waste of money to let such a magnificant piece of instrument to be just wasted and even wasting it will cost! Since the scope is modularly built, parts can be replaced as it has already been done. It makes sense for HST to be used even after new generation of telescopes is in the orbit. Moon and Mars pushed on first track... money would be MUCH more efficiently spent here on our planet. For speeding up the development of a usable fusion reactor for example to help our civilization to survive on THIS planet. Mars can wait for another hundred years, HST and our planet can not wait this long.
Saving HST means just more than saving it.
Posted by: Alex Finzgar at April 21, 2005 04:43 PM
ABOUT SAVING HUBBLE...
Such an effort would require
Dedication
(to the sort of fight the Wright Brothers had to
fight to gain acceptance for the airplane)
Vision
(beyond the stale and unimaginative way
of rockets, rockets, and more rockets)
Effort
(besides that wasted trying to get past
the roadblock to progress presented by
people's "horse and buggy" mentalities)
So, what should we do?
Let's build the CBSV (Correa/Brown Space Vessel),
invite all of its critics for a free ride into
space, give them a tour of the cargo bay, and
OPEN THE CARGO BAY DOORS TO SPACE.
Then we can get down to the business of saving
the Hubble.
With the cargo bay flushed out, it'll have plenty
of room to take Hubble on board.
Just my opinion, folks....
Yours truly,
Mark A. Solis
(as in "1994 ISDC")
http://www.geocities.com/reach_space_now/proposal.html
Posted by: Mark A. Solis at May 2, 2005 01:19 PM
Hubble is a jewel beyond price, and to junk it for want of repairs and maintenance is unthinkable - but that is quite what I would expect of current Washington. I am very much in favour of the "on to Moon and Mars" initiative too. We don't have to chose between all the possible programs. All we have to do is stop spending on trashy projects, and increase the space budget by ten times. And this mighty effort should be a cooperative one that includes all the industrial nations. And remember this -if we don't sieze the day, the Chinese will. Peter Roberts
Posted by: Peter Roberts at May 3, 2005 12:53 PM
I am an amateur from Kathmandu Nepal. we work to introduce astronomy to the kids of this country. For us Hubble space telescope has become a synonym of space exploration. We dont have good scopes in our country. The Hubble Images posted on the websites have become a good source of inspiration.
Let President Bush cut his military spending and allocate more budget for NASA To Save Hubble.
Kedar Badu
Galileo Astronomical Society of Pokhara Nepal
www.geocities.com/gasponepal
Posted by: Kedar P Badu at May 16, 2005 02:43 AM
I am 61 years old, and in my lifetime I have never experienced anything more wonderful or beautiful than the pictures we have received from the Hubble Telescope.
Hubble has shown us things, that even the most brillant, Scientific minds in the world could not even imagine. The Eagle Nebula, and the birth of a solar system, the death of a star. Images that I have forever burned in my memory. I visit the Hubble. com website several times a week just to see what wonderful new treasure is there waiting for me.
France gave us the the Statue of Liberty. Do you remember when there were no funds available to repair it, or mantain it. What did we do? Tear it down, abandon it? Not ever!
When our beautiful Statue needed repairs, school children across the country adopted the Statue. They donated all of their pennies, nickles and dimes. Some held Bake Sales, and Fund Raisers. Some did chores, and ran errands. Some even had yard sales, and sold their own toys. People from all over the World donated money to the Statue of Liberty fund. I believe the people of this World would do the same for Hubble.
The French, gave the people of the United States, such a beautiful gift, to be cherished forever by everyone.
The United States of America, gave the people of the World, a beautiful gift. The Hubble. It must be cherished forever, by everyone on this planet.
We must do whatever it takes, to save Hubble. If we ask the World to help, I think they will. Just ask everyone, who has ever viewed an image, taken by Hubble, to send in one dollar, one Franc, one Yen one Euro, one Lira, one Real, one Peso. Just one, of whatever their Country uses for money.
Hubble might have been an American undertaking in the beginning, but not any longer. The Hubble now belongs to me, my children, my grandchildren. All of my neighbors, and my friends, everyone. All of the people. across every street, in every town. Across every city, in every country. Across every continant, and every ocean. It belongs to all of people on this Planet. Let's give the people, of this Planet, the opportunity to save Hubble.
The Hubble, is the most incerdiable, wonderful, amazing gift that the United States of America could have ever given to the World. We must all do whatever it takes, to see that it is saved.
Posted by: Leila Taber at June 7, 2005 02:41 AM
To cut a already successful and functional space telescope would be rediculous.This in my judgment would be a complete waste of a valuable resource.Ask almost any elementry student what the word "Hubble" means and most can tell you it's the space telescope.This isnt just some telescope,its the "Peoples telescope".Astronauts risked theyre lives saving this important telescope and the discoveries its made since its contact lense fix has been nothing short of breathtaking.Its allowed us clarity never achieved before.
Even with the best that Earth based telescopes can offer they are still grounded under the hazy atmosphere of our terrestrial home.If it were possible to replace this telescope for less than what it would cost to push Hubble to a higher orbit I could see this, but obviously this isnt the case for now.I agree with many of the comments made in this forum but as my father used to tell me ,"If it works, Dont fix it".So I say, save it instead.
There are still many observations under way and many scientist eager to use this telescope.I would agree that the moon would be the ideal environment to study from and hopefully someday if we can become a more civilized race we will build a international colony on the moon,and then onto Mars.
This morning I logged onto my ISP and the news headline I saw made me sick."One Trillion dollars spending on millitary throughout the world".Now just imagine if we could use this wealth for more productive ideas instead of the slaughter of peoples in this world of ours.My own country in particular has been very efficiant at wasting money and NASA of course has always been the scapegoat for budget cutbacks.
We can afford 400 billion for operation "Iraqi freedom "and the constant death toll rising from this endeavor but not fix Hubble?
Whats wrong with this picture?
If anything we should increase the world spending on space research and developement.I strongly believe that our ultimate survival as a species depends upon this.There is a comet or an asteroid coming one day and it has our name on it.Unless we develope a strategy to divert this heavenly body to save ourselves,who will know what all this fighting and history was all about?
We must push harder than we ever have before to colonize space, because we know now that we may never have a second chance.
I started talking about Hubble and then shifted to more important topics like survival because its all part of the same scheme.Whats really important ? Since NASA is givin such a tight budget to work with, it should be used wisely till privatized space industry can rise up to the challenge.Hubble is a working telescope that only needs a nudge,sure its an expensive push ,but far less than a new telescope.When it comes to Hubble the people have spoken and overwhelmingly have asked to save it.I wish my government would listen for a change.
Posted by: Michael at June 7, 2005 06:12 PM
The Hubble must be saved. It will be at least 5 years before any kind of replacement is available. We need the Hubble in the interim. There are several important reasons:
Regarding the President's initiative, NASA can at least indicate it can develop systems of sufficient safety and reliability to develop a base on the Moon, or send a person to Mars, if we can successfully send a repair mission to the Hubble.
Moreover, manned space missions are extremely expensive, and it is likely that any proposal for Moon or Mars missions will therefore be delayed for several to many years due to the current fiscal climate and deep budget deficits. We need the Hubble in the meantime.
In addition, we could provide a new generation of better optics for the Hubble during a repair mission, and that would allow delaying for a year or two its (very expensive) replacement, possibly until 2014, giving us time to develop the best possible replacement instrument.
Yet another important reason to retain the Hubble is that important questions in cosmology and astrophysics (amount of dark matter, physics of dark energy, the values of omega and lambda, cosmic rate of expansion, fine structure of the cosmic microwave background, calibration of standard candles, finding more extrasolar planets, etc.) need the best instrumentation for the experiments to answer them. Since the Hubble is above the atmosphere, with improved instrumentation, it is in the best position to provide the data, and would be again an excellent and necessary complement to ground-based telescopes.
And further, the restored Hubble will stimulate the public's interest---public support for a Moon mission will be significantly enhanced if there are streams of Hubble pictures along the way, and if there is no Hubble, public interest in space exploration is likely to dry up.
So we should retain and repair the Hubble for reasons of cost savings overall in delaying replacement, maintaining public interest in space during the interim, and healthy continuation of scientific exploration and inquiry.
Posted by: Kirby N. Smith, DVM, MSPH at June 14, 2005 05:17 PM
The Hubble telescope is truly a world treasure. It has become a source of American Pride. There are many years of service left in it (and it cost a fortune to make). YES! Continue with the Hubble.
Posted by: Miriam Hoover at June 20, 2005 05:26 PM