Riding to Hubble's rescue

Tommy Watts, Fort Smith, AR. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 08:56:35 GMT

Hey all you brainy guys; You have to fix the Hubble. I'm poor and Hubble images are one of my main escapes as well as awesome intertainment. Excellent job so far!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Russell,Oak park,Ill — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 10:45:15 GMT

What do we feel when we see those things that Hubble allows us to see? Beyond its scientific value I can think of few other things more important to all earthlings.We must carry on.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

J. Jason Wentworth — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 11:39:09 GMT

I think Hubble should be serviced and upgraded by one more Shuttle mission. If the new equipment keeps functioning until the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV) is flying, there is no reason why Hubble could not be kept working and periodically upgraded indefinitely.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

geese — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 11:59:43 GMT

With all the info we are collecting from the images of Hubble why would Nasa stop. The purpose of Hubble was to look into outer space not just into orbit inner space as with the space station. Letting hubble rot or die would be a big down fall for NASA, similar to the shuttle diasters. Why not have the job out sourced ?

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Suzanne Breier, Crystal Lake, Illinois — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:21:26 GMT

Considering the original cost of the Hubble I believe
it is very important to extend it's life as long as
possible. Do I think the space shuttle visiting the Hubble would stir up the general public's interest in spaceflight far more than any trip to the international space station? ABSOLUTELY -YES!!!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Joe Grocholski, Roseville, Mi. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:38:18 GMT

I was amazed when I read this article to find that a repair mission to Hubble is a distinct possibility.
After all that Hubble has done, is doing, and will do, it's a no-brainer to repair and update it while the shuttles are still flying.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Paul McFarland, Guy, Arkansas — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 12:45:50 GMT

To throw away a tool like the Hubble would be the height of waste. If we can't keep an orbiting observation platform in service then what is the space program for?

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Jim and Mimi Stangel, Tallahassee, FL — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:12:30 GMT

Hubble is worth saving! What else has provided such a wealth of knowledge and beauty? The US economy and political power will not fund a total replacement for Hubble. If there is no plan to replace Hubble as soon as it fails, we must support and maintain this cosmology investigation tool.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Hunter, R. Coral Springs, fl. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:21:38 GMT

Hubble the ultimate eyes for the Astronomers of the world. The repair of such an important tool is essential to continued progress in the exploration of space. As an amateur viewer of the cosmos, the Hubble telescope give us seers into space the hope of a brighter future of humanity.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Barbara, Tullahoma, TN — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 13:35:42 GMT

I hope Hubble can hold on for a few more years. We will need a President who respects the scientific community and who is willing to invest in abstract results to get these repairs completed. All I hear are rumors of NASA layoffs and program cutbacks. We amateur astronomers don't stand a chance.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

C Villanti, Baldwin NY — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:00:18 GMT

Since we are planning to retun to the moon, we should consider this as an exercise to prepare for that trip. The skills required are akin to what would be needed if we have a replay of the Appollo 13 scenario.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

George Cernigliaro — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:16:32 GMT

Isn't there a "sister" mirror to the one used in the orbiting Hubble which could be outfitted with the latest and greatest detector technology? Maybe there are more stable gyro's and other updated stabilizing technologies which can also be incorporated into a new, more capable Hubble type telescope, which could be built and launched by an ELV (Atlas V or Delta IV
Heavy), if a rescue mission for the current Hubble is, after all, found too risky for the Shuttle. This may be another, more prudent and derisking way, to extend the Hubble legacy.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Kevin Cabral, Denver CO — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:19:48 GMT

The science the Hubble produces is a guarantee. I'm of the opinion that when you have a winning team, keep it funded and active. The same holds true for the Hubble. If the telescope can be around for another 10 years with servicing, then let it do its job until the thing falls out of the sky.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

ron spicer yuma az — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:21:28 GMT

If man can not look out to the cosmic past how is he ever going to look out to the cosmic future. And just as that is so the Hubbles past needs a Hubble future.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

James Sargent — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:37:38 GMT

I would love to see them fix it, and when it is at its end of life, bring it back down and put it in the Smithsonian

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Jerry Penhollow, Clearwater, Florida — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:43:09 GMT

Hubble provides the world an eye in space like no other and the Hubble's pictures are a constant reminder of who we are in the universe and how truly small that is. To many it is a monument to HOPE. Until something better is sent to take its place. We need to do whatever we can to keep it alive and well.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Bob Brooks, Bainbridge Island, WA — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:46:33 GMT

It would be a big mistake to allow the Hubble to shut down. I am not even sure what the space station is doing, but I do pay attention to the wonderful images that are coming from Hubble (and also the Mars rovers).

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Mark Hurley, Layton Ut. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 14:57:49 GMT

Go for it! The Hubble telescope is a far more valuable resource for exploration then the space station will ever be.
If we must risk our astronauts on more space shuttle flights, let it be for something important.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Michael O'Brien, St. Paul, MN — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:00:51 GMT

I feel that a repair mission to the Hubble is too important to pass up. It has provided the world with excellent new science and the images insipre awe for all of us. To upgrade the Hubble would provide even more new science for years to come. If the decision is made to not repair it, then it should be brought down (as it was originally design to do) on a shuttle, so it can be placed in a museum. There are so many different artifacts from the history of space exploration that cant be brought back, that we should recover one which can be.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Ed Parker, Stuarts Draft, VA — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:03:17 GMT

It still amazes me that our government can spend billions (287, so far) on the stupid war in Iraq yet can't use a couple of billion to save something worthwhile.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Gus Edlund, Missoula, Montana — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:11:42 GMT

The value received so far from Hubble exceeds that of any other space activity. Unless a superior device is ready to replace it it should be repaired.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Leonhard J Seitz, Apache Junction, AZ — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:22:13 GMT

I would very much like to see the Hubble serviced and continue to work. It has already done such a very good job.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Hawkeye, Columbus, OH — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:24:21 GMT

Billions for pork, not a dime for Hubble? Who did we elect to Congress?

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Leo St. George Charlton, Ma. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:40:36 GMT

Because we can! Thats why we do what we do. So repairing the Hubble is what we need to do. We need more Kodak moments from the cold outer edges of time. Not to mention the thrill of seeing some thing never seen befor by any one. We must push forward.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Patrick Bishop, Caldwell, NJ — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:45:01 GMT

Regarding Hubble, when we do go to "fix" it, why not do much more? Fly up some kind of support module that bolts on to the end opposite the "eye." It should have all the guidance and propulsion systems to keep Hubble going for decades and make the telescope's existing systems redundant so we needn't worry about such frequent maintenance.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Joe Flaugher, Dayton, Ohio — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 15:57:23 GMT

Hubble MUST be saved. For NASA to do anything else would be financial suicide. Right now, it is one of the very few visual proofs to the layman that space science is doing anything at all. With a decade or so of development ahead for the next series of exploration vehicles, NASA would be wise to keep space to the front of the taxpayer's minds lest they see other things to spend a budget on.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Nathan Morrison — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:12:09 GMT

Alan,
I really like the format of this page. The black background is great. I guess I don't really need to tell you how much I'd like them to save the hubble...
Maybe Burt Rutan would consider grappling the thing, like I joked about a few years back :)

-Nathan

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Robert Shevlin, Old Tappan, New Jersey — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:19:06 GMT

Pictures from the Hubble not only make good science but they inspire awe and wonder. Hubble pictures do more to sell the U.S. space program to the public than any comparably priced initiative that NASA could undertake.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Drew, Ogallala, Nebraska — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:27:49 GMT

I agree that a mission to Hubble would stir more public interest. I have been a fan of Hubble since 1998 and the science being done is invaluable to our understanding of the formation of the universe let alone our solar system. Besides that the images move and stir me so much so that I bought a telescope! We must keep Hubble alive!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Marty, Edison, NJ — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:28:22 GMT

A successful trip to Hubble would definitely be more inspiring than another trip to the Space Station. Of course, everyone will be delighted to see the Shuttle return to service, but the whole purpose of the Shuttle Program was to "Build and Fix Things," not to be a glorified Bus. Granted, that's too simplistic and the ISS still needs some construction work, but if you're wondering what would get the public excited, fixing the Hubble at it's Eleventh Hour would fit the bill and would be seen as the Shuttle's final great act - the climactic event of it's retirement.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Richard Smith, Brighton, TN — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 16:38:21 GMT

LOVE THAT HUBBLE!!

It's the closest those of us alive today will get to exploring strange new worlds...

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Kathy v, Olympia, WA — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 17:25:22 GMT

You're right about stirring up public interest. I wrote NASA in Feb, 2004 that as wonderful as the Spitzer and the JWST are in their wavelengths, neither can replace what the refurbished Hubble would become in the minds of men: the Eye that can see forever.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

John John Palacios — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:16:16 GMT

We need a new shuttle. That thing is too old. How many 1981 vehicles do you see out on the road?

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Lynn G, Minneapolis, MN — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:24:01 GMT

I think Hubble always enchants people, but it's what people do that captures the heart. Images of spacewalkers, the vista of the Earth they see.. this is what seems to get people excited. Sometimes I wonder if sending astronauts out to schools wouldn't be the best insurance for future NASA funding.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Don Bennett, Rome, Wisconsin — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:37:11 GMT

A Hubble servicing mission would certainly generate more public interest than routine visits to the space station. NASA needs to return to the "can do" attitude of old, not the timid, stumbling steps of recent years. Satellite and Hubble servicing missions bring an incredible sense of awe. I say, Go For It! But please, listen to the engineers when they have concerns.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Casey Sluys, Santa Rosa, Calif. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 18:40:03 GMT

Yes, please fix the Hubble! It's a view we would never be able to see again in our lifetime if Hubble goes dark. It'll be well worth the effort, thanks!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Mark Sawyer, Chelsea, MI — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:02:32 GMT

The Hubble has been serviced 4 times before by the shuttle, I really fail to see any possible reason that it should not be serviced again and again as long as the shuttle is flying and it is cost effective. Space flight is one of those dangerous exploratory things that keep mankind from becoming stagnant and children interested in their futures. As long as the astronauts think the risks are acceptable, we should keep the shuttle flying and doing what it was designed for.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Frank Zimmerman Little Rock, Ar. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:38:18 GMT

It would be truley an absolute shame to have so much money and resources tied up in the Hubble and then to walk away from it.....It has done more for our exploration of space than the I.S.S.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

RC Henkle, Portland, OR — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:46:42 GMT

"Out there" is the only option we have left once we trash this planet. It's critical that we know as much about our solar system and the universe as we can. Hubble provides us the unobstructed view that we need. It is conceivable that it can be maintained past it's life expectancy and provide us with more pertinent data.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Chris Eldridge — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:48:24 GMT

Stirring up public interest in space flight by servicing the Hubble is (to me) bad science and the same time of hype and PR that gets us nowhere. We have such limited funding as it is and it is FAR wiser to launch a new Hubble for about the same cost than it would take to service the old.
Such a repair mission would also cost more than the new Mars Reconnaissance orbiter, which is truly an amazing mission able to gather more data than ALL past Mars missions combined. Is something like that really worth giving up for just some more pretty pictures? It is good to be sentimental, but let’s keep it for things like our antique collection, not a scientific project.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Calvin Wellander, Saugus, Ca. — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:51:55 GMT

Any money spent on Hubble is worth it, it's some of the only money our government spends that I really approve of. You have only to look at the information Hubble sends us to know this is better than spending money on war.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Tucker — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 19:55:35 GMT

The Hubble images gives us taxpayers something for our money that we can all enjoy. So if NASA wants to continue its space programs, it better include the one thing its supporters can get into.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Wade Whitlock, Aberdeen, MD, USA — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 20:00:58 GMT

Beautiful photo! Excessively mature galaxies and eukaryotes without a snowball's chance! What a mix!

I took a look at the Antikythera Machine reference. The discussion degenerated into a lot of pro-and con on the relative merits of superstitions! The author, Michael T. Wright of Imperial College, London did post a link to the paper he is presenting about the machine. An interesting look at some heavy duty archeology and the sniping that goes on there, too!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Jerry Flandro Boise, Idaho — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 20:27:11 GMT

Scientific advances for hubble far exceed anything ever accomplished from the International Space Station. A high priority mission to hubble should be a no-brainer.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Steve Lynch, Havertown, PA — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 22:43:02 GMT

The Hubble is the only positive PR that NASA gets these days. That, plus the fact that the public remembers the initial +$1 billion pricetag should be enough to put the 5th visit on the "active" list.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

karman Grey, Columbia, Tennessee — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 22:43:47 GMT

It seems to me that the longer the Hubble telescope is in existance the bigger our universe becomes, therefore it would be limiting our awareness to discontinue this jewel. What a shame to stop the arrival of the beauty in photos from the heavens around us, inspiring humans to dream bigger dreams..Surely the powers that be, will not take this from us.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Robert Harford, Columbus, Ohio — Fri, 09 Jun 2006 22:47:13 GMT

Considering the massive amount of taxpayer money that is spent on space station experiments that may, or may not ever benefit the general public who pay the bills, I think we can afford another retrofit mission for the Hubble Telescope, which HAS changed the scientific history books on the state of the universe and benefited our knowledge more than any other device ever conceived. Face it... the thing does its job.

Our shuttle fleet has not been exactly cost effective just shuttling crews, food and water with some minor scientific experiments and repair parts for the space staiton while in orbit. Thats my thoughts anyway.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Jack Kennedy — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 01:07:37 GMT

Hubble is better than a $1-BILLION dollar investment
that yields more science and discovery than any single other space shuttle mission. Yes, space is not a risk free environment but the science coming from HST is worth the extra risk. It is my hope that commercial astronauts aboard a Falcon 9 booster may do a 2012 service mission. We need to keep HST alive!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Greg — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 01:32:17 GMT

How in the world can we not "risk it" to save the Hubble when the pityful ISS is constant danger from space junk and human error. Besides, aren't we EXPLORING the Universe... the whole bloody thing? Why spend all the effort on two lumps of rock out of an entire Cosmos???

Riding to Hubble's rescue

KEN ROSEBOOM — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 14:34:37 GMT

A MOST IMPORTANT ITEM TO BE FIXED. GREAT SCIENTIFIC TOOL FOR THE WORLD TO USE.... NOT TO FIX IT WOULD BE SUCH A WASTE. ITS NOT READY FOR THE SCRAP HEAP YET.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

A P Garcia — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 15:30:26 GMT

I would rather see money go go fix Hubble than go for the ISS, not much pure science there or pictures of deep space

Riding to Hubble's rescue

John Schulthies, VA Beach, VA — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 20:15:41 GMT

Do not knock the ISS, the mission in Iraq/Afgan., shuttle operations, and/or other NASA/government programs. We can do all these very critical missions including repairing the HST. If you think you can trade one mission for another mission you are being quite foolish and unaware of how things get down in DC and the world. Read between the lines...as long as Griffin gets a couple of safe lift offs and landings the HST will be repaired....

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Doug Davis, Myrtle Beach SC — Sat, 10 Jun 2006 23:52:41 GMT

Its worthwhile , if we can spend billions in iraq weekly , and millions on a wall ,on the border , this is a cheap investment for the scientific worth!!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

James R. McGillawee, Oshawa, Ont., Canada — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 19:39:56 GMT

Let the Scientists and Engineers decide the optimum path to proceed on: upgrade or replace this scientific jewel. Your program to further galactic detection, and research has benefits far beyond these monumental scientific achievements. It is America's best Ambassador in the eyes of the World (wheather educated or not!)
Don't lose the spirit of "What can I do for my Country?!" to quote JFK.,eh!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Jeff Marcus, San Jose CA — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 21:09:38 GMT

Hubble has given us more bang for the buck then many other space missions. Maintaining Hubble is the sensible thing to do.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Galen Fox, New Town, North Dakota — Sun, 11 Jun 2006 22:56:18 GMT

Yes the Hubble should be fixed, even if another even better one is in the works, (is There?). The old telescopes on mountain tops are still in use and adding immensly to our knowledge. If the United States cant afford to send a shuttle to fix it, the job should be farmed out to the Russians

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Scott Davidson, York New Salem, PA — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 15:43:22 GMT

The pictures and information being obtained from Hubble on an almost daily basis are reason enough to keep Hubble flying. Get a mission on the schedule ASAP!!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Michelle, Boulder, CO — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:15:50 GMT

the space program needs to remain active with missions such as these that keep the scientific community prospering. More missions provide more opportunities for people to become excited and involved in the space program.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Reece A. Goelzer — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 16:33:19 GMT

Unless my perspective is jaded, even sentimental, the Hale telescope is still doing respectable science. The capabilities of the Hubble are orders of magnitude beyond Mts. Wilson and Palomar. It strikes me a a huge prospective waste to abandon an excellent and flexible instrument making enormous contributions to Astronomy.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Larry Davis — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 18:28:04 GMT

The Hubble images give the scientific world, amateur astronomers and taxpayers something for our money that we can all really enjoy. If NASA desires to continue its space programs, it is imperative for NASA to keep operational the one thing its supporters can actually see the results of their tax dollars.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Gene Cross, Fremont, California — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 22:14:52 GMT

Hubble is the ONLY telescope capable of accurately measuring the diameter of Xena (UB313), according to Michael Brown (CalTech), Xena's discoverer. Kecks and other groundbased assets, even with world-class adaptive optics, are NOT up to the task. This is but one example of Hubble's unique capabilities that makes it worth preserving and upgrading into the far future.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Alan Sheets — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 20:14:48 GMT

There's been a lot of talk about how the shuttle can't reach both Hubble and ISS on the same mission because of different orbital angles and the lack of fuel/time to to so. This puts a shuttle crew at greater risk.

However, what exactly would it take to move Hubble from it's 21 degree orbit to match and meet up with ISS in a 53 degree orbit? I don't believe fuel would be that much of a consideration, because you have all the time you need to do it with just the onboard gyros. Yes, I know that only 2 of them are available right now for science operations, but the other 4 could be brought back online for brute-force manuvering over a long period of time. You could also use the solar arrays as a solar sail to help a little with the long-term manuvering it would take to get the job done.

Plus, you could burn up all the gyros and onboard fuel, and if Hubble is in a 53 degree orbit, then the Shuttle could undertake a refueling/repair mission and STILL make it to ISS ok. And, along the way, Hubble would still be able to carry out a limited science program.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Peter Westberg — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:13:35 GMT

Slash all funding for that white elephant of a space station and FIX HUBBLE! In all the years that ISS has been up there, I have YET to see anything come out of it that can come close to the least that Hubble does. ISS is nothing more than a political boondoggle and port barrel project. No one cares about it, least of all most scientists, who have always argued against the thing in the first place.

Hey NASA, stop ISS and fix Hubble! We want Hubble, we never wanted ISS!

Riding to Hubble's rescue

Greg Jones Marietta GA — Sat, 24 Jun 2006 01:37:28 GMT

I'm thinking it's penny wise pound foolish to not service the Hubble. It can almost be compared to throwing away a great car rather than replace a dead battery. Inspection tools should reduce risks and I would think that if repairs could not be made, that the shuttle could somehow intercept the space station or another space vehicle launched for rescue purposes.
I think the mission itself would be a big feather in the cap of NASA as well...

Riding to Hubble's rescue

steve lovett,lexington,s.c. — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 11:21:00 GMT

If NASA allows the Hubble to fall into a declining orbit you can expect their funding to do the same-The public demands to see at least some of their taxdollars in the stunning photos sent back from the space that NASA is so found of pointing out their mission is to explore-

Riding to Hubble's rescue

a p garcia — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 14:54:06 GMT

Save Hubble and scrap the ISS. An Ion rocket engine should be attached to Hubble to keep its obbit from decaying.

Riding to Hubble's rescue

J.v.Leeuwen, Netherlands — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 18:39:28 GMT

I realy think most people on earth are no longer interessted in the ISS. Servicing Hubble is more sophisticated.