In article ,
David A. Scott wrote:
Interesting its not worth the RISK OF LIFE to bring it back
but it is worth the RISK OF LIFE to attach a rocket to it to
up burn it up in the atmosphere.

No, the rocket attachment could be done as part of the last servicing
mission (there is at least one more planned), so it would not involve any
added risk.

I wonder if anybody has done
some sort of environmental study about the tradeoffs since the
mission itself and the rocket attached will add more pollution
to the air.

Completely insignificant compared to all the other stuff that goes into
the atmosphere.
--
MOST launched 30 June; first light, 29 July; 5arcsec | Henry Spencer
pointing, 10 Sept; first science, early Oct; all well. |