Hubble telescope may get reprieve

[Judi Lynn]

Hubble telescope may get reprieve
From correspondents in Baltimore
January 30, 2004

NASA'S chief has agreed to a review of his decision to cancel servicing missions to the Hubble Space Telescope and let it deteriorate and go out of operation, Sen. Barbara Mikulski said.

Adm. Hal Gehman, chairman of the board that investigated the Columbia space shuttle breakup last year, will "review the (Hubble) matter and offer his unique perspective," NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said in a letter to Mikulski, who released a copy of the letter.

O'Keefe had defended his decision earlier this month to cancel all space shuttle missions to the Hubble, which has revolutionized the study of astronomy with its striking images of the universe. He had cited the risk to the astronauts on a Hubble mission and President George W. Bush's plans to send humans to the moon, Mars and beyond as the reason for NASA's change of focus.

Mikulski, the ranking Democrat on the Senate subcommittee that that oversees NASA's budget, had asked for a review of the decision.
(snip/...)

http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,8533623%255E1702,00.html

[SaveElmer]

1. Excellent Idea

While I do support Shrub's space initiative, I did think they abandoned the Hubble too hastily...I hope they change their minds on that

[Moderator]

2. Dupe

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=338352