The future of the Hubble Space Telescope is in doubt after the White House refused money for a rescue plan, US media has reported.
US space agency Nasa will announce the decision in February, ending plans to send a human or a robot repairman, the Washington Post reported.
The service cost was expected to top $1bn, but has been cut from the federal budget request, sources told the paper.
For 15 years Hubble has captured some of the most profound images of space.
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It was designed to be visited periodically by astronauts who would perform repairs and install new equipment.
Astronauts have made servicing visits to the telescope several times, with a final servicing mission - now cancelled - due for 2006.
Despite the funding cut, the telescope is not yet being shut down - just allowed to operate normally until wear and tear take their toll.
Its original mission was supposed to last 15 years, and was extended to 20 years, with a projected end date of 2010.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4197505.stm