![](\"http:\/\/cyber.law.harvard.edu\/blogs\/static\/dowbrigade\/hubtrub.jpg\")
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Once again the Hubble telescope is in dire straits. It needs adjusting
\n and unfortunately they put it out where it costs a cool BILLION dollars
\n to get anywhere near the thing, to polish the mirror or adjust the antenna
\n e….<\/p>\n
\nOn Monday, NASA is expected to present a budget to Congress that does
\n not include any money to fix the aging Hubble space telescope. Unless
\n Congress sets aside $1 billion or more for a robotic mission or commits
\n to a space-shuttle trip to upgrade the telescope, it could stop sending
\n its jaw-dropping pictures of the universe as soon as 2007.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\nExcuse us if this is an idiotic question, but don’t we also have
\n a multi-billion dollar manned space station up there we are looking
\n for
\n excuses to keep supplying. Couldn’t they have planned to put the telescope
\n SOMEWHERE in the vicinity of the only human outpost anywhere above
\n the surface of the planet? Something wrong
\n with the neighborhood?<\/p>\nWe are sure the Astro and Cosmo nauts in the station have better things
\n to do, but one would think they could float over for a look see once
\n or twice a year, were it nearby. Enough to kick the tires, and
\n check the fluids. Or replace a fuse if something blows. Since we
\n have to send supplies up to the space station all the time anyway, wouldn’t
\n it be a less expensive way to get the parts and servicing the telescope
\n needs up as well?<\/p>\nWe are sure there is a logical, scientific explanation having
\n to do with differences in optimum orbit per ogee and ambient light leak.
\n It seems like such a simple idea there must be something wrong with it.<\/p>\nfrom the Boston Globe<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Once again the Hubble telescope is in dire straits. It needs adjusting and unfortunately they put it out where it costs a cool BILLION dollars to get anywhere near the thing, to polish the mirror or adjust the antenna e…. … Continue reading