07-24-2024, 07:09 PM
In our discussions about the TMT it was repeatedly suggested by some that there was no need for a new observatory on Mauna Kea, because soon we will have bigger, better space based telescopes.
Here’s another article showing that’s not true. Budgets are on the chopping block for both the space based Chandra and Hubble. It’s not easy to launch and operate a telescope in space. It’s expensive. They’re hard to upgrade and repair.
Supporters of the Chandra X-ray Observatory say the school bus-sized instrument is healthy and could keep doing science for another decade, but NASA recently announced a plan to slash its funding and effectively wrap up the mission.
https://www.npr.org/2024/07/23/nx-s1-504...nniversary
Here’s another article showing that’s not true. Budgets are on the chopping block for both the space based Chandra and Hubble. It’s not easy to launch and operate a telescope in space. It’s expensive. They’re hard to upgrade and repair.
Supporters of the Chandra X-ray Observatory say the school bus-sized instrument is healthy and could keep doing science for another decade, but NASA recently announced a plan to slash its funding and effectively wrap up the mission.
https://www.npr.org/2024/07/23/nx-s1-504...nniversary