02-13-2016, 01:32 PM
*** In HOTPE's opinion
The next visual range space based telescope scheduled for launch is the James Webb Space Telescope. It will be a world class observatory, but planning started 20 years ago, and it won't be launched for another 2 years.
In gestation since 1996...
The JWST has a history of major cost overruns and delays. The first realistic budget estimates were that the observatory would cost $1.6 billion and launch in 2011. NASA has now scheduled the telescope for a 2018 launch. In 2011, the United States House of Representatives voted to terminate funding, after about $3 billion had been spent and 75% of its hardware was in production.[9] Funding was restored in compromise legislation with the US Senate, and spending on the program was capped at $8 billion.[10] As of December 2014, the telescope remained on schedule and within budget, but at risk of further delays.[11]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Webb..._Telescope
Does this give anyone the impression that space based telescopes are ready for prime time? That we are at a point where we can bring a halt to construction of terrestrial observatories?
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
The next visual range space based telescope scheduled for launch is the James Webb Space Telescope. It will be a world class observatory, but planning started 20 years ago, and it won't be launched for another 2 years.
In gestation since 1996...
The JWST has a history of major cost overruns and delays. The first realistic budget estimates were that the observatory would cost $1.6 billion and launch in 2011. NASA has now scheduled the telescope for a 2018 launch. In 2011, the United States House of Representatives voted to terminate funding, after about $3 billion had been spent and 75% of its hardware was in production.[9] Funding was restored in compromise legislation with the US Senate, and spending on the program was capped at $8 billion.[10] As of December 2014, the telescope remained on schedule and within budget, but at risk of further delays.[11]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Webb..._Telescope
Does this give anyone the impression that space based telescopes are ready for prime time? That we are at a point where we can bring a halt to construction of terrestrial observatories?
"How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives." -Annie Dillard
"I'm at that stage in life where I stay out of discussions. Even if you say 1+1=5, you're right - have fun." - Keanu Reeves