How should we retire the Hubble?

[Phobos]

I heard this question on a radio talk show.

The original plan was to send up another shuttle mission to retrieve the Hubble so that it could be displayed in the Smithsonian Musuem. But with the Challanger and Columbia accidents behind us, do you think the risk is worth it? What should be done once the Hubble's performance period is over (a few years from now)?

 

[Tyger]

I think we should make a special re-entry vehicle that we can use to bring things back and make sure it's large enough to handle the Hubble. We could also use it to return other payloads for refurbishing.

 

[FZ+]

Erm... does anyone have figures on how much yearly maintenance of Hubble costs?

Maybe it can just be sold to another space consortium.

 

[selfAdjoint]

Send it glorously into the sun!

 

[russ_watters]

Originally posted by FZ+
Erm... does anyone have figures on how much yearly maintenance of Hubble costs?

Or how much it costs to bring it back to earth? (about half a billion).

 

[jeff]

Originally posted by Phobos
What should be done once the Hubble's performance period is over (a few years from now)?

Just before it's "performance" period is over, attempt to make little telescope babies by flying Hubble straight into the giant radio telescope at arecibo chile.

 

[Eh]

That was funny.

But humor aside, the Hubble is actually a piece of technology that stands out among all time human accomplishments. It's a statement about the progress of the entire human race. If anything deserves to be in a museum, the Hubble is it.

 

[FZ+]

Seriously though, if it costs that much, it is more worthwhile spending the cash where it is really needed - other NASA projects, than on little moments of sentimentality. That would be a better celebration of what the telescope acheived. It's just a machine for god's sake...

 

[Shadow]

I think they should stick with the original plan.

 

[I, Brian]

Originally posted by selfAdjoint
Send it glorously into the sun!

My thoughts entirely. :)

 

[kleinma]

I think they should give it to me.. it will be much better than my 8 inch dob

 

[Phobos]

CNN finally picked up on the topic...
http://www.cnn.com/2003/TECH/space/08/15/hubble.reut/index.html