NASA Urged to Reconsider Hubble Decision

http://www.sunspot.net/news/health/b...ocal-headlines

"NASA urged to reconsider Hubble decision"
The Associated Press
January 28, 2004

Maryland's congressional delegation sent a letter to NASA administrator
Sean O'Keefe urging him to reconsider the space agency's recent decision
to cancel the final servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope.

"The scientific returns we have received from Hubble's service thus far
have exceeded our expectations. Given the President's recent
pronouncement of a vision to rededicate the Nation's commitment to space
exploration, we believe that NASA should make every possible effort to
retain this proven window on the universe," reads the letter, which was
sent Tuesday and made available to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, NASA announced it won't send the space shuttle in
2006 to service the orbiting telescope, a mission needed to enable it to
keep operating. Without the servicing mission the orbiting telescope is
expected to stop working several years before its scheduled 2010
retirement.

Hubble's scientific operations are conducted at the Space Telescope
Science Institute, located at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The
telescope is managed and operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt.

After NASA's decision was announced, Mikulski, the ranking minority
member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees NASA's
budget, sent a letter to O'Keefe last week, asking him to reconsider the
decision.

The Baltimore Democrat said she was shocked by the decision given the
extraordinary contributions to science by the Hubble, which has
revolutionized the study of astronomy with its striking images of the
universe. Mikulski is also scheduled to meet with employees of the Space
Telescope Science Institute on Friday.

The lawmakers noted the next generation space telescope, the James Webb
Telescope, is not scheduled to be launched until 2010, several years
after the Hubble is now expected to stop working.

"The gap created between the operation of these two telescopes will rob
scientists of several years of invaluable data," the letter reads.

The lawmakers also noted about $200 million has already been spent on
two new instruments that were to be brought to the Hubble by the space
shuttle, and it may cost more than $300 million for a mission to return
the Hubble safely to earth.

"In light of these costs, which total approximately a half-billion
dollars, as well as the several decades of funding already devoted to
Hubble, a decision to cancel the Hubble program several years shy of its
goal appears to make little economic sense," the letter reads.

In addition to Mikulski, the letter was signed by Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes
and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Ben Cardin, Wayne Gilchrest, Roscoe
Bartlett, Albert Wynn, Elijah Cummings, C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger and
Chris Van Hollen.

[end of article]

--
Scott M. Kozel Highway and Transportation History Websites
Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C. http://www.roadstothefuture.com
Philadelphia and Delaware Valley http://www.pennways.com

It's silly isn't it... You know any savings from the launch will just fall
thru the cracks, so what do they do with the stuff they already got built?
Seems like an aweful waste to me.

Kris
my Energia HLLV site: http://www.k26.com/buran/

"Scott M. Kozel" wrote in message
...

http://www.sunspot.net/news/health/b...ocal-headlines

"NASA urged to reconsider Hubble decision"
The Associated Press
January 28, 2004

Maryland's congressional delegation sent a letter to NASA administrator
Sean O'Keefe urging him to reconsider the space agency's recent decision
to cancel the final servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope.

"The scientific returns we have received from Hubble's service thus far
have exceeded our expectations. Given the President's recent
pronouncement of a vision to rededicate the Nation's commitment to space
exploration, we believe that NASA should make every possible effort to
retain this proven window on the universe," reads the letter, which was
sent Tuesday and made available to The Associated Press on Wednesday.

Earlier this month, NASA announced it won't send the space shuttle in
2006 to service the orbiting telescope, a mission needed to enable it to
keep operating. Without the servicing mission the orbiting telescope is
expected to stop working several years before its scheduled 2010
retirement.

Hubble's scientific operations are conducted at the Space Telescope
Science Institute, located at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The
telescope is managed and operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in
Greenbelt.

After NASA's decision was announced, Mikulski, the ranking minority
member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees NASA's
budget, sent a letter to O'Keefe last week, asking him to reconsider the
decision.

The Baltimore Democrat said she was shocked by the decision given the
extraordinary contributions to science by the Hubble, which has
revolutionized the study of astronomy with its striking images of the
universe. Mikulski is also scheduled to meet with employees of the Space
Telescope Science Institute on Friday.

The lawmakers noted the next generation space telescope, the James Webb
Telescope, is not scheduled to be launched until 2010, several years
after the Hubble is now expected to stop working.

"The gap created between the operation of these two telescopes will rob
scientists of several years of invaluable data," the letter reads.

The lawmakers also noted about $200 million has already been spent on
two new instruments that were to be brought to the Hubble by the space
shuttle, and it may cost more than $300 million for a mission to return
the Hubble safely to earth.

"In light of these costs, which total approximately a half-billion
dollars, as well as the several decades of funding already devoted to
Hubble, a decision to cancel the Hubble program several years shy of its
goal appears to make little economic sense," the letter reads.

In addition to Mikulski, the letter was signed by Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes
and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Ben Cardin, Wayne Gilchrest, Roscoe
Bartlett, Albert Wynn, Elijah Cummings, C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger and
Chris Van Hollen.

[end of article]

--
Scott M. Kozel Highway and Transportation History Websites
Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C. http://www.roadstothefuture.com
Philadelphia and Delaware Valley http://www.pennways.com

Hansel wrote:

It's silly isn't it... You know any savings from the launch will just fall
thru the cracks, so what do they do with the stuff they already got built?
Seems like an aweful waste to me.

Kris
my Energia HLLV site: http://www.k26.com/buran/

"Scott M. Kozel" wrote in message
...

http://www.sunspot.net/news/health/b...ocal-headlines

snip above article

The issue is not the cost of the extra flight, but that of the
additional safety hoops the current environment would demand for
such a "unique" flight. The shuttle is basically required to
complete the ISS, and in the remaining "life span" ,as dictated by
the CAIB and reinforced by the President's speech, there are not
many non-ISS slots available.

How many of the congress folk quoted in this article joined the "how
could NASA let this happen" dog pile following the Columbia breakup?
Funny how their tune changes when the solution negatively affects
folks in their districts. If they really want to save Hubble, maybe
they should be supporting a faster schedule for the proposed ApolloR2
vehicle as a ISS/shuttle assured return vehicle. Mostly I suspect
that this was simply a "free" opportunity to whine about the actions
of the current administration without having to commit to an
alternative solution.

In article ,
Eric Pederson deZ to respond wrote:
...The shuttle is basically required to
complete the ISS, and in the remaining "life span" ,as dictated by
the CAIB and reinforced by the President's speech, there are not
many non-ISS slots available.

The number of flights available is not something that is dictated by God;
it is itself a decision. A modest investment of additional resources can
make more flight slots available, within limits.
--
MOST launched 30 June; science observations running | Henry Spencer
since Oct; first surprises seen; papers pending. |

I suspect a lot will depend on who is in the Whitehouse after the election.

I'd be amazed if they could not actually find the people willing to crew the
mission, I guess it really depends on the availability of a Shuttle and the
cost commitment involved, not any eye on safety.

Brian

--
Brian Gaff....
graphics are great, but the blind can't hear them
Email:
__________________________________________________ __________________________
__________________________________


"Scott M. Kozel" wrote in message
...
|
http://www.sunspot.net/news/health/b...ory?coll=bal-l
ocal-headlines
|
| "NASA urged to reconsider Hubble decision"
| The Associated Press
| January 28, 2004
|
| Maryland's congressional delegation sent a letter to NASA administrator
| Sean O'Keefe urging him to reconsider the space agency's recent decision
| to cancel the final servicing mission for the Hubble Space Telescope.
|
| "The scientific returns we have received from Hubble's service thus far
| have exceeded our expectations. Given the President's recent
| pronouncement of a vision to rededicate the Nation's commitment to space
| exploration, we believe that NASA should make every possible effort to
| retain this proven window on the universe," reads the letter, which was
| sent Tuesday and made available to The Associated Press on Wednesday.
|
| Earlier this month, NASA announced it won't send the space shuttle in
| 2006 to service the orbiting telescope, a mission needed to enable it to
| keep operating. Without the servicing mission the orbiting telescope is
| expected to stop working several years before its scheduled 2010
| retirement.
|
| Hubble's scientific operations are conducted at the Space Telescope
| Science Institute, located at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. The
| telescope is managed and operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in
| Greenbelt.
|
| After NASA's decision was announced, Mikulski, the ranking minority
| member of the Senate Appropriations subcommittee that oversees NASA's
| budget, sent a letter to O'Keefe last week, asking him to reconsider the
| decision.
|
| The Baltimore Democrat said she was shocked by the decision given the
| extraordinary contributions to science by the Hubble, which has
| revolutionized the study of astronomy with its striking images of the
| universe. Mikulski is also scheduled to meet with employees of the Space
| Telescope Science Institute on Friday.
|
| The lawmakers noted the next generation space telescope, the James Webb
| Telescope, is not scheduled to be launched until 2010, several years
| after the Hubble is now expected to stop working.
|
| "The gap created between the operation of these two telescopes will rob
| scientists of several years of invaluable data," the letter reads.
|
| The lawmakers also noted about $200 million has already been spent on
| two new instruments that were to be brought to the Hubble by the space
| shuttle, and it may cost more than $300 million for a mission to return
| the Hubble safely to earth.
|
| "In light of these costs, which total approximately a half-billion
| dollars, as well as the several decades of funding already devoted to
| Hubble, a decision to cancel the Hubble program several years shy of its
| goal appears to make little economic sense," the letter reads.
|
| In addition to Mikulski, the letter was signed by Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes
| and Representatives Steny Hoyer, Ben Cardin, Wayne Gilchrest, Roscoe
| Bartlett, Albert Wynn, Elijah Cummings, C.A. "Dutch" Ruppersberger and
| Chris Van Hollen.
|
| [end of article]
|
| --
| Scott M. Kozel Highway and Transportation History Websites
| Virginia/Maryland/Washington, D.C. http://www.roadstothefuture.com
| Philadelphia and Delaware Valley http://www.pennways.com


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free, so there!
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.573 / Virus Database: 363 - Release Date: 28/01/04

IMHO a further HST service mission would not take any more risks like the
five previous HST successful missions
(including launch) especially the foam issue is solved.

albert

"Brian Gaff" wrote in message
...
I suspect a lot will depend on who is in the Whitehouse after the
election.

I'd be amazed if they could not actually find the people willing to crew
the
mission, I guess it really depends on the availability of a Shuttle and
the
cost commitment involved, not any eye on safety.

The one issue I can see is that of schedule. It isn't just a question of
slotting a shuttle to go up there, but also ensuring that the mission occurs
after NASA has completed development of independant inspection/repair capabilities.

Consider that NASA was very lucky that the shuttle was grounded at a time when
the station was symetrically assembled. Had the truss been asymetrical, it
would have posed interesting issue, especially when you consider the CMGs's
fragile health.

With the requirement to launch daytime, this may present interesting
scheduling requirements between ISS and Hubble launches as well as maintenance schedules.

On the other hand, if on can launch hubble during a long period when you can't
go to ISS due to daytime launch requirement, it would not have much impact on
ISS assembly.

With the requirement to launch daytime, this may present interesting
scheduling requirements between ISS and Hubble launches as well as maintenance schedules.

On the other hand, if on can launch hubble during a long period when you can't
go to ISS due to daytime launch requirement, it would not have much impact on
ISS assembly.

I was under the impression that *only* STS-114 had the daytime launch
requirement....from then on out it'll be back to whenever is
necessary.
Hubble repair flights have all launched and landed at night, but I'm
sure that's more of a coincidence...or is it??
John

(John) wrote in
om:

I was under the impression that *only* STS-114 had the daytime launch
requirement....from then on out it'll be back to whenever is
necessary.

The daytime launch requirement will remain in place until NASA is confident
that it can get adequate ascent photography at night.

Hubble repair flights have all launched and landed at night, but I'm
sure that's more of a coincidence...or is it??

Ground-up rendezvous launch windows shift predictably around the clock due
to the Earth's equatorial bulge. The shift is a function of the altitude
and inclination of the target vehicle's orbit: ~24 minutes per day for ISS,
~30 for HST. So, whether a given launch occurs during day or night depends
totally on the launch date.


--
JRF

Reply-to address spam-proofed - to reply by E-mail,
check "Organization" (I am not assimilated) and
think one step ahead of IBM.

I was under the impression that *only* STS-114 had the daytime launch
requirement....from then on out it'll be back to whenever is
necessary.

No daylight is now mandatory