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Subject: Hubble debated in Congress Author: Betty [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] Date Posted: 12:32:38 02/05/05 Sat In reply to: Betty 's message, "Hubbble telescope to die & be destoyed" on 12:26:05 02/15/04 Sun Hubble, the “eye of planet Earth” is ageing and legislators are hotly debating whether to steer it down into the ocean or to send a repairs mission to overhaul it. Its batteries and gyroscopes are expected to fail between 2007 and 2010. A group of scientists, who consider Hubble as one of science’s better investments, insist on a space shuttle mission to replace those parts as well as to add new sensors and state-of-the art cameras. That would make it even more productive than it has already been. “For decades to come science can expect more discoveries and breakthroughs with the help of the Hubble, if it is repaired.” said a senior scientist. The cost of repairs is estimated at $2 billion and that’s what has sparked of the debate in congress. The White House, facing raging deficits, seems less enthused about sending a Hubble-repair mission than NASA scientists would like. Scientists argue that if you evaluate Hubble’s contributions to science, one will see that the $2 billion repairs bill is a bargain. Some even point to how it is peanuts compared to the estimated cost of $800 billion for a manned Mars programme that was launched in last year’s State of the Union speech. Another scientist added that canceling the Mars program would save up enough money for other more worthy space research projects. We can’t overlook the Hubble’s accomplishments. There can be little doubt that in its 14 years, the Hubble telescope has been science’s best window to the universe. It has offered new perspectives on planets like Mars and Saturn. The theory that black holes are central to the formation of galaxies also got more credibility by images beamed by Hubble. Its images of dying sun-like stars and other space phenomena have greatly helped scientists to move closer in determining the age of the universe. It has also given a big push to the search for an elusive dark energy. “It’s not just the cost of the mission that makes us reluctant….” said a NASA spokesperson, “the question of safety is also paramount. We are not willing to risk the lives of astronauts by sending a manned craft for repairing the Hubble. Right now priority for NASA is completing the assembly of the international space station.” NASA has proposed an unmanned servicing mission which would use robotic equipment that is yet being developed. There are lobbies with different opinions on this issue. Some insist that sending astronauts makes better sense. Others feel that the Hubble is now outdated and should be either replaced or upgraded with new equipment. New generation telescopes are being planned which promise to get images from spectral wavelength outside the Hubble’s capabilities. At the White House the debate hotly raged on. A member of the U.S. House of Representatives Science Committee said “there are conflicting suggestions and opinions about the telescope, which makes it difficult to arrive at an agreement.” [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ]

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Subject Author Date Science is being stifled by Bush Betty 10:37:48 02/23/05 Wed Global warming is real Betty 10:44:35 02/23/05 Wed