So how long until we can bid for the Hubble on Ebay? - GoFuckYourself.com

ADL Colin · 02-07-2005, 02:51 PM

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- With the moon on its horizon, NASA sees an increase in the 2006 budget proposed by the White House on Monday, but the 2.5 percent hike is not enough to save the Hubble Space Telescope.

Only $75 million in the space agency's $16.45 billion budget would go toward Hubble's future involving a visiting robot, and all of that would be used to develop a mission for steering the orbiting observatory into the ocean at the end of its lifetime.

No money is in the budget to send either a robotic repairman or shuttle astronauts to Hubble to extend its lifetime, a decision that is sure to anger astronomers and members of Congress. Late last year, a National Academy of Sciences panel recommended one final visit to Hubble by astronauts.

The proposed budget does set aside $9.6 billion for science, aeronautics and exploration, and $6.7 billion for exploration capabilities, including such space operations as the space shuttle and international space station programs.

Just over a year ago, President Bush announced a new exploration vision for NASA geared around returning astronauts to the moon by 2020. Everything now revolves around that goal.

NASA's comptroller, Steve Isakowitz, said a robotic mission to install new parts on Hubble is proving too risky from a technological point of view, and a shuttle mission poses too many dangers in the wake of the 2003 Columbia accident.

Trying to launch a shuttle to Hubble by 2007, when critical telescope parts are expected to conk out, would present the same type of schedule pressures that led to the Columbia catastrophe, he said.

Instead, NASA is working on ways to remotely manage the 14-year-old Hubble in order to keep it going as long as possible, and is considering launching two already completed Hubble cameras on a separate yet-to-be-built spacecraft, Isakowitz said.

"We have been as eager as the Congress to try to save the Hubble, but at the end of the day, what we're trying to save is the science related to Hubble," he said.

A robotic repair mission has been estimated to cost as much as $1 billion to $2 billion, but that did not factor into the Bush administration's decision, Isakowitz said.

"At some point, you've got to question whether it's worth the cost," Isakowitz said. "But the decision we made is largely being driven by the risk considerations. It was not driven by the budget."

02-07-2005, 02:56 PM

The hubble was one of the greatest scientific creations in the late 20th century. too bad to see it being phased out.

ElvisManson · 02-07-2005, 03:01 PM

Interesting that they are saying a robotic misson is proving too risky.

By Leonard David
Senior space writer
Updated: 12:47 p.m. ET Jan. 6, 2005

NASA has given the go-ahead to a Canadian firm to work on a possible robot-salvage mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. The contract is valued at $154 million and builds on the space robotics work of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. through its MD Robotics group in Brampton, Ontario.

advertisement
The awarding of the Hubble contract work is a milestone in a go/no go decision due next summer, when NASA will decide whether or not to proceed with the observatory?s servicing by robotic means.

The Canadian firm built the ?Canadarm? ? the robotic arm technology often used on space shuttle missions.

In addition, under government contract to the Canadian Space Agency, MD Robotics ? with the help of a Canada-wide industrial team ? developed the robotic systems that represent Canada's contribution to the international space station.

A Mobile Servicing System provides the space station with sophisticated robotics to assemble, transport, and maintain payloads in orbit, as well as help build and maintain the space station itself.

Extending human reach
In a statement announcing the contract, MDA touted MD Robotics? work for a prospective Hubble repair mission as positioning the company ?as the world leader in extending human reach in hostile environments with great precision and reliability.?

Based on Canada's space robotics technology called Dextre, MDA will design a concept that could support the repair and upgrade of the Hubble Space Telescope ? that is, if NASA conducts such a mission.

Dextre is the dual-armed robot built by MDA under contract to the Canadian Space Agency to conduct exterior maintenance of the space station.

That robot is specially designed to perform complex tasks in the harsh environment of space, such as installing and removing batteries, power supplies, computer units and scientific payloads.

According to a statement from the Canadian Space Agency, Dextre will be adapted to replace batteries, gyroscopes and perhaps an instrument on the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope to extend its life.

Controversial decision
The move to use robots to service the Hubble rather than spacewalking astronauts remains controversial.

Outgoing NASA Administrator Sean O?Keefe has been steadfast in his decision not to risk astronaut lives conducting such a mission. O?Keefe canceled Hubble servicing via space shuttle attendants following the loss of the shuttle Columbia and crew in February 2003.

However, a study performed by a blue-ribbon panel of the National Research Council told NASA last month that it should scrap plans to service the orbiting telescope robotically. The study group advised that a space shuttle crew could perform the work, and that doing so was the best option available.

Classified work
Dan Friedmann, president and chief executive officer of MDA, explained in a statement: ?The Hubble mission and our strategic participation in other space missions will demonstrate that robots can cost-effectively complete complex tasks in space, while working together with astronauts on the ground.?

If given the final go-ahead, the robotic Hubble mission would follow on the heels of two U.S. military satellite missions that will utilize MDA's solutions to perform similar tasks.

Doctor Dre · 02-07-2005, 03:04 PM

Damn ... we heard so much about hubble in high school

02-07-2005, 02:51 PM	#1
ADL Colin Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Tube Titans, USA Posts: 11,929	So how long until we can bid for the Hubble on Ebay? CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- With the moon on its horizon, NASA sees an increase in the 2006 budget proposed by the White House on Monday, but the 2.5 percent hike is not enough to save the Hubble Space Telescope. Only $75 million in the space agency's $16.45 billion budget would go toward Hubble's future involving a visiting robot, and all of that would be used to develop a mission for steering the orbiting observatory into the ocean at the end of its lifetime. No money is in the budget to send either a robotic repairman or shuttle astronauts to Hubble to extend its lifetime, a decision that is sure to anger astronomers and members of Congress. Late last year, a National Academy of Sciences panel recommended one final visit to Hubble by astronauts. The proposed budget does set aside $9.6 billion for science, aeronautics and exploration, and $6.7 billion for exploration capabilities, including such space operations as the space shuttle and international space station programs. Just over a year ago, President Bush announced a new exploration vision for NASA geared around returning astronauts to the moon by 2020. Everything now revolves around that goal. NASA's comptroller, Steve Isakowitz, said a robotic mission to install new parts on Hubble is proving too risky from a technological point of view, and a shuttle mission poses too many dangers in the wake of the 2003 Columbia accident. Trying to launch a shuttle to Hubble by 2007, when critical telescope parts are expected to conk out, would present the same type of schedule pressures that led to the Columbia catastrophe, he said. Instead, NASA is working on ways to remotely manage the 14-year-old Hubble in order to keep it going as long as possible, and is considering launching two already completed Hubble cameras on a separate yet-to-be-built spacecraft, Isakowitz said. "We have been as eager as the Congress to try to save the Hubble, but at the end of the day, what we're trying to save is the science related to Hubble," he said. A robotic repair mission has been estimated to cost as much as $1 billion to $2 billion, but that did not factor into the Bush administration's decision, Isakowitz said. "At some point, you've got to question whether it's worth the cost," Isakowitz said. "But the decision we made is largely being driven by the risk considerations. It was not driven by the budget." __________________ Adult Date Link - $50 PPS starting NOW! -- good and JUICY! skype = "adultdatelink"

02-07-2005, 02:56 PM	#2
X37375787 Guest Posts: n/a	The hubble was one of the greatest scientific creations in the late 20th century. too bad to see it being phased out.

02-07-2005, 03:01 PM	#3
ElvisManson Looking California Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2001 Posts: 5,476	Interesting that they are saying a robotic misson is proving too risky. By Leonard David Senior space writer Updated: 12:47 p.m. ET Jan. 6, 2005 NASA has given the go-ahead to a Canadian firm to work on a possible robot-salvage mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. The contract is valued at $154 million and builds on the space robotics work of MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. through its MD Robotics group in Brampton, Ontario. advertisement The awarding of the Hubble contract work is a milestone in a go/no go decision due next summer, when NASA will decide whether or not to proceed with the observatory?s servicing by robotic means. The Canadian firm built the ?Canadarm? ? the robotic arm technology often used on space shuttle missions. In addition, under government contract to the Canadian Space Agency, MD Robotics ? with the help of a Canada-wide industrial team ? developed the robotic systems that represent Canada's contribution to the international space station. A Mobile Servicing System provides the space station with sophisticated robotics to assemble, transport, and maintain payloads in orbit, as well as help build and maintain the space station itself. Extending human reach In a statement announcing the contract, MDA touted MD Robotics? work for a prospective Hubble repair mission as positioning the company ?as the world leader in extending human reach in hostile environments with great precision and reliability.? Based on Canada's space robotics technology called Dextre, MDA will design a concept that could support the repair and upgrade of the Hubble Space Telescope ? that is, if NASA conducts such a mission. Dextre is the dual-armed robot built by MDA under contract to the Canadian Space Agency to conduct exterior maintenance of the space station. That robot is specially designed to perform complex tasks in the harsh environment of space, such as installing and removing batteries, power supplies, computer units and scientific payloads. According to a statement from the Canadian Space Agency, Dextre will be adapted to replace batteries, gyroscopes and perhaps an instrument on the $1.5 billion Hubble Space Telescope to extend its life. Controversial decision The move to use robots to service the Hubble rather than spacewalking astronauts remains controversial. Outgoing NASA Administrator Sean O?Keefe has been steadfast in his decision not to risk astronaut lives conducting such a mission. O?Keefe canceled Hubble servicing via space shuttle attendants following the loss of the shuttle Columbia and crew in February 2003. However, a study performed by a blue-ribbon panel of the National Research Council told NASA last month that it should scrap plans to service the orbiting telescope robotically. The study group advised that a space shuttle crew could perform the work, and that doing so was the best option available. Classified work Dan Friedmann, president and chief executive officer of MDA, explained in a statement: ?The Hubble mission and our strategic participation in other space missions will demonstrate that robots can cost-effectively complete complex tasks in space, while working together with astronauts on the ground.? If given the final go-ahead, the robotic Hubble mission would follow on the heels of two U.S. military satellite missions that will utilize MDA's solutions to perform similar tasks.