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[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Hubble is one step closer to a fireball...

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This from CNN:

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (AP) -- With the moon on its horizon, NASA sees a slight increase in the budget proposed by President Bush on Monday, but it's not enough to save the Hubble Space Telescope.

Only $93 million in the space agency's $16.45 billion budget would go toward Hubble's survival: $75 million to develop a kamikaze robot that would steer the orbiting observatory into the ocean at the end of its lifetime, and $18 million to try to eke out as much scientific observing time as possible from the telescope through clever remote controlling.

No money is in the budget to send either a robotic repairman or shuttle astronauts to Hubble to extend its lifetime, a decision that is sure to anger astronomers and members of Congress.

More here:

www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/space/02/07/budget.nasa.ap/index.html
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This is insanity, as those in power now will succeed in blinding us. We will just have to wait until the visionaries have their turn.

Sigh......

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

House Science Panel Questions NASA Officials About Budget

Questions are being raised by responsibile individuals and organizations on the ridiculous attempt to scuttle the Hubble in the current NASA budget....

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House Science Panel Questions NASA Officials About Budget

Feb. 18--In their first opportunity to face NASA administrators since the agency's budget ruled out repairs to the ailing Hubble Space Telescope, members of Congress on Thursday questioned why a repair mission had seemingly evaporated after growing enthusiasm for the idea.

Of the $93 million for the Hubble in the budget proposed last week, $75 million was earmarked for a suicide craft that will guide the telescope into a final descent into the ocean once its usefulness has run out. Another $18 million was to be used for software upgrades that would allow Hubble to continue doing science after its worn-out parts inevitably begin to fail.

The House Science Committee on Thursday heard testimony from NASA officials about the agency's proposed $16.5 billion budget for the coming year. The fiscal 2006 budget, directed by the White House, includes a proposal for $858 million for Mars and lunar exploration, but would reduce spending in some space science programs, including Hubble.

"Congress has never endorsed, in fact has never discussed, the vision," said committee chairman Sherwood Boehlert (R-N.Y.).

Though still functioning well, Hubble is aging quickly, its life ebbing out through fading gyroscopes and tiring batteries. The telescope will plunge to Earth in 2012 without equipment upgrades and a boost into higher orbit. Its science effectiveness is expected to peter out in 2007.

More here: www.rednova.com/news/display/?id=128870

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Again I say. I am glad that O'keefe is finally out of there, but is it too late to counter his incompetence and save the Hubble?

I hope not!.

[TheCriticalEye]

CALL YOUR CONGRESSMAN !!!
It is all up to congress now wether Hubble stays or burns up in the atmosphere.
I for one think there is alot of life left for hubble not too mention there is over $250 million in parts wating collecting dust in a warehouse for it.

[Maddad]

Before you make that call, you first need to think with your head and not just your heart. Identify what you are asking your congressman to spend, and what you are asking him to take away from you so that you can have Hubble.

Only children believe they can have it all.