Hubble's stellar stake-out

Jack Kennedy — Sat, 28 Oct 2006 07:24:59 GMT

Saving the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) could be "Right Stuff" moment for the federal space agency and the hallmark of Dr. Mike Griffin's unique NASA leadership style. Millions around the world relate to the HST in the more modern "Galactic Effect" akin to the more well-known "Overview Effect." More school children relate to HST images of the cosmos, I dare say, than the famos "Earth Rise" of Apollo 8. That is the real power of the HST. It is in search of the real question: "Are we alone?"

Hopefully, the HST service mission in 2008 will be a grand success that will keep the orbital telescope fully operational well past 2013 and to a time that commercial astronauts of SpaceX, Rocketplane-Kisler, Benson Space, or some other firm may assume the duty of keeping it operational to 2020 as a continuing part of the NASA Great Observatory program.

Some of your readers might enjoy this Power Point about the history and complexity of the HST.

http://www.jackkennedy.net/hubblehuddle.ppt

Three cheers for keep Hubble operational; and, well wishes to the astronauts named to do the job!

Hubble's stellar stake-out

Richard Popovich, Sparks NV — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 03:41:52 GMT

Until the James Webb scope is launched and replaces the Hubble, we can't afford to let it die. It has given too much so far for it to go and it has a lot more to give. The Hubble is; as has been said before; the greatest tool in the advancement of our understanding of the universe. As far as NASA's fear of putting crews in danger, they are in danger every time the shuttle is launched. The risks are an inherent part of space flight. Is there any difference in the risks associated with repairing and expanding the the space station and repairing the Hubble? The difference between the two types of missions are either very small or non-existent. Keep the Hubble working, it is too valuable to give up on it.

Hubble's stellar stake-out

N. Vasquez — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 12:53:13 GMT

The Hubble telescope is yet another boongoggle by NASA. The entire organization is there to find projects that will insure continued employment for themselves. The scientific community that has found a donor, the U.S. taxpayers, to fund their follies should find a way to privately fund these projects. Can anyone really justify a project that spends $500 million and has no return but satisfaction for the specific community involved. Wake up folks who cares about an explosion in space a million years ago.

Hubble's stellar stake-out

Maria C. Quezada, Palmdale, California — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 02:50:21 GMT

The benefit of sending a crew to Hubble is that we will have an open window to our Galaxy and the many unanswered questions about its beginnings. Not only scientists will benefit from the Hubble's finding but also all humanity. Unfortunately the risks of sending a crew to Hubble will always exist. Their safety should be a priority to avoid any future halts that may jeopardize the space program.

Hubble's stellar stake-out

Adrian Swift, Orlando, Fl — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 17:13:57 GMT

Funny you should mention the "Earth Rise" picture. I grew up with that on my bedroom door. I remeber the launch of the HST and I remeber the first images seen... and was a disapointed as the rest of the viewers. The HST has yet to reach its full potential I feel, with the ability to retrofit with new more advances optical systems we can see a great deal more and bring more light to the darkness around us. Your right too, the children who see them are blown away by the images the HST returns. Even I sometimes find it hard to belive they are "real" and not some computer generated image. Nothing will replace the "Earth Rise" for me, but on another wall I have the Pillars of Birth.... I say, 'give the old girl another chance' shes got a lot of life left in her if we give her the attention she needs....

Hubble's stellar stake-out

Robert Ando, Dallas, Texas — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 21:10:44 GMT

As the most popular science mission since landing on the moon, the Hubble Space Telescope gives NASA the best public relations ever - this at a time when some people think space flight should be abandoned! As perhaps the prestige project NASA has recently had, its political stock would be severely diminished if Hubble is abandoned.

Hubble's stellar stake-out

Vidyardhi Nanduri — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 01:35:25 GMT

Hubble Space Images have revolutionised Cosmology Research and leads Science to objetive search. RESEARCH means Refletor Search for the Universe leading to SOURCE,FIELDS and FLOWS integration in Science, Philosophy and Nature

Hubble's stellar stake-out

Charles Arnold, Douglas, GA — Wed, 01 Nov 2006 04:46:13 GMT

Having been a child of the 80's, I watched in great dismay as the Challenger accident unfolded. In my opinion, without the Hubble Space Telescope our thoughts and dreams would have turned away from space exploration and the free ideology and scientific momentum that this has brought to benefit our world. The Hubble has increased our understanding of the universe and thereby increased our understanding of who we really are. I applaud NASA for continuing this venture and hope that we never loose our explorative nature.

Hubble's stellar stake-out

VIDYARDHI NANDURI — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 17:55:46 GMT

HUBBLE TELESCOPE SPACE IMAGES helped SPIRIT OF ADVANCENCEMENT IN SCIENCE THROUGH SUSTAINED QUESTIONS ON 1. BIG-BANG 2. DARK MATTER 3. DARK ENERGY 4. UNIVERSE UNFOLDS ITSELF 5.EVOLUTION TO CATCH-UP 5. LIMITS ON GRAVITATION AND 6. WHY NO EINSTEIN WHEN SCIENCE IS AT CROSS ROADS. THIS MAKES PEOPLE TO THINK BEYOND GALACTIC PLANE. A SEARCHING MIND QUESTIONS SCIENCE IN PHILOSOPHY AS WELL. IS THIS NOT A GREAT CONTRIBUTION THROUGH SPACE EXPLORATION ! VIDYARDHI NANDURI