|
|
Post by Bruce on Mar 14, 2005 17:56:31 GMT 12
It has Wings and its way, way above Cambridge. Nasa has announced that it will no longer provide shuttle maintenace missions for the Hubble space telescope, which essentially means that its days are numbered. Despite the amazing images that it has captured, enabling a clearer understanding of the universe, it appears that Nasa is afraid of political implications of losing another shuttle and crew. All future shuttle missions have to be able to dock at the ISS in the event of an emergency, unfortunately the orbit to Hubble would make that impossible. Storey Musgrave, an Astronaught who has been on Hubble maintenance mission before claims that every one of Nasas astronaughts would be willing to take the risk, without hesitation.
Nasa wants to concentrate on the (limited) range of experiments able to be carried out on ISS rather than the cutting edge astronomical science of Hubble.
With private venture spaceflight emerging, is it likely that may hold the future for Hubble?
|
|
|
|
Post by turboNZ on Mar 14, 2005 18:13:08 GMT 12
Now that would be a real shame. It's awesome to think there is an orbitting telescope able to take images that are truly astounding. Here's a couple taken from it (source heritage.stsci.edu/gallery/galindex.html) This is an amazing pic  TNZ |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 14, 2005 19:43:53 GMT 12
Yes, it makes nice pictures, but personally I've never seen the benefit of what the pictures can do for mankind. Unless the Yanks are using them while looking for more planets to conquer for their oil!
I actually heard an advert today for a show coming up soon (this week?) on National Radio about the New Zealand space programme. It mentioned that a new radio-telescope for looking at outerspace is being built to be 100 times larger than the current existing one. It will no doubt replace Hubble at making pretty pictures.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 14, 2005 19:48:08 GMT 12
I am not sure what that space-related show was called, but it could be Eureka, which is a science show on Saturday at 2.04pm (19th March) if you want to hear it. Perhaps an email to National Radio would be more precise if you really want to hear it. rnz@radionz.co.nz
|
|
|
|
Post by turboNZ on Mar 14, 2005 19:50:19 GMT 12
Where's the dosh coming for the NZ Space Programme for this wonder telescope?
Is the US financing it?
TNZ
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Mar 14, 2005 19:56:14 GMT 12
Astrophysics is a bit beyond me, but the computation of distances, gravitation fields and momentum based on spectral shifts shown in the "Pretty Pictures" is extremely useful to things such as GPS plotting, background radiation (whether the new Power lines will fry you...) and the basic origins of the universe. I dont agree with all the conclusions that have been drawn, but the experimenters using the Hubble will acheive more than those on ISS investigating what happens when you blow your nose in space.  |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 15, 2005 18:06:05 GMT 12
Chris, I am not certain that the Kiwis are building the telescope, just that the RNZ programme is talking about it. I think Kiwis may be involved in the design process. A lot of Kiwis have been involved in Nasa, including that guy who won all the awrds for rocket design and died a few months ago aged in his 90's. Can't recall his name.
|
|
|
|
Post by turboNZ on Mar 15, 2005 19:11:24 GMT 12
You're not thinking of William Pickering are you?
TNZ
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 15, 2005 19:19:18 GMT 12
Yup
|
|
|
|
Post by turboNZ on Mar 15, 2005 19:22:41 GMT 12
Amazing guy that one.
Was heavily involved in the '50s & '60s space race.
TNZ
|
|
