Hubble Update Today

Hubble Detects Organic Molecule on an Extrasolar Planet

"NASA will hold a media teleconference at 2 p.m. EDT on Wednesday, March 19, to report on the first-ever detection of the organic molecule methane in the atmosphere of a planet orbiting a distant star. Though the planet is too hot to support life as we know it, the finding demonstrates the ability to detect organic molecules spectroscopically around Earth-like planets in habitable zones around stars."

Editor's note: I am sorry that I did not post this earlier. Despite repeated requests NASA PAO seems to be incapable of putting me on a simple email list so as to allow me to get these media updates as they are issued. Of course, I complain, and PAO says that I am on the list - yet I seem to miss out on a fair number of things. Curiously, no one else on Earth seems to have a problem getting email to - or from - me. Sometimes I get things at 4 or 5 in the afternoon that have been sent to a distribution list at 10 in the morning.

Rehashing The Hubble Debate

One Last Ride to the Hubble, NY Times

"Next August, after 20 years of hype, disappointment, blunders, triumphs and peerless glittering vistas of space and time, and four years after NASA decided to leave the Hubble Space Telescope to die in orbit, setting off public and Congressional outrage, a group of astronauts will ride to the telescope aboard the space shuttle Atlantis with wrenches in hand. That, at least, is the plan."

Minor Hubble Glitch

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report # 4470

"SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

Gyro 2's second flex lead failed on DOY (278) 10/05/07. An increase in the gyro's heater duty cycle from 10-12% to 26-38% revealed that additional heater power was compensating for the absence of motor current.

The second flex lead failure was expected. The first flex lead failed on August 31, 2007, after which Gyro 6 was turned on. The second flex lead's failure did not impact HST's operation."

Hubble Trouble

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4439

FLASH REPORT: Zero Gyro Software Sunpoint entry

At 243/23:01:54 UTC Gyro 2 disparity counts exceeded limits during an LOS period and HST entered Zero Gyro Software Sun Point. The vehicle was in M2G mode in orbit night with a vehicle slew in progress when this occurred. Gyro 2's motor current and digital data were zero after telemetry was reestablished.

On Saturday, September 1st at 9am EST a Zero Gyro Entry (Gyro 2 failure) Status Briefing was held with the Mission Operations Team, Science Institute and HST Project. Status of each subsystem was provided. PCS confirmed Gyro 2 failure and that Gyro 6 was powered on at 244/0554 GMT. Other subsystems are performing nominally and as expected. TCS did change yellow limits on the OTA Baffle temperature to the SM limits (w/AD closed). EPS reported a change in the structure current profile following the anomaly. An Ops Note was issued to increase structure current ground limits by 0.4 amps (5.4 to 5.8A). There was an increase of up to 1.5 amps in the structure current profile which EPS is monitoring.

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4440

HSTARS: 10983 Loss of Lock - Without Acquisition Failure @ 247/2041z GSAcq (1,2,1) at 247/19:45z was successful. At 247/20:13:57z began flagging in and out of Gyro Control (RGA Only / FGS/RGA). Additionally, Mnemonics FSUBLOL, FGSLOL, FGS_STAT began flagging in and out indicating a possible Loss of Lock. At 247/20:41:56z TERM EXP as scheduled. During this time FGS's maintained SCI INIT / LATCH on acquisition.

Today's YouTube Video: The Hubble Deep Field

Editor's note: Have a look at "The Hubble Deep Field: The Most Important Image Ever Taken". This video was made by Tony Darnell who runs Deepastronomy.com. I like it - a lot. In addition to using NASA images to make some important cosmological points, he also makes a few other points - such as our YouTube posting and viewing habits. Thanks to someone@nasa.gov who alerted me to this video and who noted "... continuing along your lines about NASA's PAO, or lack thereof, why didn't we do this???"

Good News For Hubble ACS?

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4303

"SIGNIFICANT EVENTS: Flash Report: SBC - preliminary results - The first SBC images (science and calibration) were acquired today (Day 051). All the telemetry indicates normal conditions. The first internal flats and dark frames are consistent with those pre-dating the ACS Side 2 failure. There may be a small degradation in sensitivity (on the order of 1% or less at the shortest wavelengths). More sensitivity data will be acquired in the coming week."

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4302

"SIGNIFICANT EVENTS:

Flash Report: As of 047/16:22:43 ACS is configured to its Safe mode on Side 1, and the on-board SMAC20 has been updated to the new version M to support ACS Side 1 SBC-only operations. Flash Report: As of 048/00:28:33. ACS CS FSW 4.02A has been successfully loaded, validated, and activated in the transition to the Operate state. ACS is configured to intercept the 050 SMS and resume SBC science activities. Flash Report: Results of the ACS SBC Filter Wheel Test ACS completed the SBC filter wheel test. Flash Report: The SI SEs at GSFC have been notified that ACS Flag 2 can be cleared for normal SBC operations."

A Permanently Disabled Hubble?

Shooting for the Stars With the Webb Telescope, Washington Post

"Last week's news that the orbiting Hubble observatory's most productive and far-seeing camera may be irreparably damaged sent a chill through the world of astronomy. Even if astronauts return to the Hubble next year as planned to repair and replace several instruments, fixing the electrical malfunction in the Advanced Camera for Surveys is not expected to be on the schedule."

Hubble News and Status Reports, SpaceRef

Hubble News, earlier NASA WAtch postings

Major Instrument Problems On Hubble

Engineers Investigate Issue on One of Hubble's Science Instruments

"NASA engineers are examining a problem related to the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) aboard the agency's Hubble Space Telescope. investigation indicates the camera has stopped functioning, and the input power feed to its Side B electronics package has failed."

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4287

"HST entered Inertial Hold Safemode on 2007/027/12:34:38 GMT (Sat, 01/27/97) following a Total Pressure Sensor (TPS) limit violation. Autonomous safing actions included powering off the FHSTs and the FGS High Voltage and terminating High Gain Antennae (HGA) tracking. Data review following the safemode entry revealed: "Structure Current Safing Test limit was exceeded ~10sec prior to safemode entry, but HST structure current returned within limits before the test could fail." ACS safed due to loss of power."

Hubble Servicing Mission Date Set

NASA Internal Memo: Hubble Space Telescope SM4 Mission Scheduled for 11 September 2008

"We have been informed by the JSC SM4 Mission Director that the space shuttle Flight Assignment Working Group (FAWG) has assigned the HST SM4 mission a launch readiness date of September 11, 2008 on space shuttle Atlantis (OV-104).  This flight is designated STS-125.  Please see the attachment for the latest FAWG manifest."

Download complete 2 January 2007 FAWG manifest

NASA Schedules Flight to Update Space Telescope, NY Times

"The Hubble Space Telescope has a new, resonant date with destiny. NASA has set Sept. 11, 2008, as the target date for launching a mission intended to revitalize the telescope and keep it spaceworthy into the next decade, according to a planning document made public by nasawatch.com, an independent Web site."

Newsflash: Cowing is a Sycophant and O'Keefe is a Liar, Stupid, and a Coward

Editor's note: That's what Scott Horowitz' and Mike Griffin's pal Bob Zubrin wants you to think - note this excerpt from an official Mars Society email wherein Zubrin crows about his victory:

"The decision to save Hubble is a great victory for science,  civilization, and the Mars Society. Alone among space advocacy  groups, the Mars Society responded the former NASA Administrator Sean  O'Keefe's stupid and cowardly decision ... The Mars Society campaign provoked a hysterical response from  O'Keefe's pet sycophant at nasawatch, but was welcomed by many NASA  employees, who helped the campaign by leaking information showing  that O'Keefe was lying. As a result of the debacle that followed, the  Philistine bureaucrat was essentially forced from office, clearing  the way for the appointment of a NASA Administrator actually  committed to science and the human expansion into space."

Feel better now, Bob? One has to assume that your steering committee agrees with your armwaving, name calling, and sheer fabrication.

Oh yes, Zubrin also uses lines like "technically illiterate oaf", "sissified NASA", and "fraudulent" and suggests that O'Keefe was "essentially forced from office". What a wonderful way for a leader (as Zubrin professes to be) to represent his organization. Once again Bob, its time for you to sit down and shut up.

The text of Zubrin's official Mars Society newsletter follows:

"Hubble Rescue a Victory for Reason
October 31, 2006

For further information about the Mars Society, visit our website at marssociety.org

NASA Administrator Mike Griffin today announced that the space agency would mount a Shuttle mission to save and upgrade the Hubble Space Telescope.

The decision to save Hubble is a great victory for science, civilization, and the Mars Society. Alone among space advocacy groups, the Mars Society responded the former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe's stupid and cowardly decision to desert the Hubble with forthright opposition, exposing as fraudulent the technically illiterate oaf's claims that a mission to Hubble was more dangerous than missions to the Space Station, as well as his attempt to deceive congress into accepting the telescope's demise through a feckless offer of a fake robotic repair effort.

O'Keefe's announcement of his intention to desert Hubble came just two days after President Bush's announcement of the Vision for Space Exploration, and threatened to brand the Moon-Mars initiative with the mark of Cain, by associating its birth with a world-historic crime against science. It also threatened to turn the VSE into a joke, as a sissified NASA too timid to send astronauts to Hubble would clearly never be able to send humans to the Moon or Mars.

Following O'Keefe's announcement, the Mars Society Steering Committee published a statement denouncing the move, and Mars Society members met with Congressmen, Senators, and White House personnel in a concerted campaign to reverse O'Keefe's decision. In addition, Mars Society members published articles, op-eds, and letters to the editor in many newspapers, making it clear that not only professional, Americans of every walk of life committed to maintaining our nation's commitment to the pioneer spirit found the decision to desert Hubble unacceptable.

A sample of one of the many Mars Society articles opposing Hubble desertion can be found at http://www.aura- astronomy.org/nv/WashTimes_1.pdf Another is presented below.

The Mars Society campaign provoked a hysterical response from O'Keefe's pet sycophant at nasawatch, but was welcomed by many NASA employees, who helped the campaign by leaking information showing that O'Keefe was lying. As a result of the debacle that followed, the Philistine bureaucrat was essentially forced from office, clearing the way for the appointment of a NASA Administrator actually committed to science and the human expansion into space.

Congratulations to Mike Griffin for making the right decision. Congratulations to everyone who took a stand for Hubble.

Don't Desert Hubble
Robert Zubrin
Space News, Feb, 9, 2004

[Text omitted for copyright reasons]"

Everyone Is Happy About Hubble

- New Hubble Servicing Mission to upgrade instruments
- IEEE-USA commends NASA decision to service Hubble Space Telescope
- Mikulski Applauds Hubble Announcement, Says Decision Is Right For America
- UA Astronomers Laud NASA Decision to Repair and Upgrade Hubble
- Shuttle Astronauts to Install Ball Aerospace's COS and WFC3 Science Instruments Aboard Hubble Space Telescope
- Udall Hails Hubble Servicing Mission Decision
- Lockheed Martin Team to Support Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission
- Boehlert, Calvert Praise Hubble Decision
- Space Foundation endorses Hubble Space Telescope servicing mission
- CU Boulder Instrument Set For Insertion on Hubble Space Telescope in Early 2008
- Senator Hutchison Praises NASA Decision to Service Hubble Space Telescope
- National Space Society statement on the Announcement of Hubble Servicing Mission

Why There Won't Be A Propulsion De-Orbit Module For Hubble (it is "Idiotic")

Editor's note: According to Mike Griffin, speaking at the 31 October HST SM announcement: "I was the one who took the deorbit module off of this mission because I thought it was idiotic."

Earlier post: NASA Program management Council Meeting Minutes and Actions Date: July 28,2005: Second Item of Business: Hubble Space Telescope (HST) - Decay Profile and Propulsion De-Orbit Module (PDM) Use

At the request of the Administrator two presentations on the next Hubble servicing mission, as it relates to orbit decay and the need for a Propulsion De-Orbit Module (PDM), were given, one by the Program Office and one by PA&E. Based on these presentations, a decision on the need for the de-orbit module was made.

Description: A 4th Shuttle servicing mission (SM-4) for Hubble is being planned and part of the decision process is whether or not to include a de-orbit propulsion module as part of SM- 4. Both GSFC and PA&E presented analyses indicating that Hubble would "fly over" solar cycle 24 and thus there was a low probability of a Hubble reentry before - 2021. Given this, the agency would have time to consider use emerging technologies to achieve a controlled de-orbit when deemed necessary.

Action Taken: Per NASA Administrator, a PDM will not be included as part of SM-4.

Deadline Given: Not Applicable

Griffin Approves Hubble Servicing Mission (No Surprise)

NASA Approves Mission and Names Crew for Return to Hubble

"Shuttle astronauts will make one final house call to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope as part of a mission to extend and improve the observatory's capabilities through 2013."

NASA Press Conference - Shuttle Return to Hubble - Transcript

Hubble Update

Editor's 28 October Update: Multiple sources note that few - if any - expect that the decision will be anything but an overt approval of the Hubble servicing mission. Indeed, many at NASA have been acting as if it were a done deal for quite some time - and some have said that it is indeed settled - some claim to have been told so. Many activities wherein real money is being spent on this mission have continued as if the flight was going to happen. Besides, look at the elaborate PAO activities planned in this press release "if" the mission is approved. PAO doesn't do that much work ahead of time unless it has to.

The main issue with this mission has always been the ability to go get a stranded Shuttle crew if the need arose. When Sean O'Keefe faced a decision point, that solution was simply not there - at least not to his satisfaction. That issue has now been solved. Mike Griffin now needs to spend the weekend thinking how he will explain - and defend - his formal decision to the media on Tuesday. Truth be known, as far as Griffin was concerned, this was not a slam dunk for quite some time. NASA had a lot of things to prove to him.

Editor's 27 October Update: NASA has announced a press conference next Tuesday to announce the fate of the Hubble servicing mission.

NASA Sets Hubble Servicing Mission Decision Announcement

NASA Internal Memo: Meeting with the Administrator - Hubble Servicing Mission Decision Oct. 31

Editor's 23 October note: NASA will be meeting this Friday at 10 am EDT to make its final decision about whether a repair and upgrade mission to Hubble will be done. There seem to be no showstoppers to prevent this mission from happening. One lingering concern had been whether a rescue mission could be mounted should the need arise. Given the way that the Shuttle program has been operating and the program's expressed interest in retaining such a LON capability beyond the first few post-Columbia missions, that does not seem to be an issue. There was also a concern that taking one of the Shuttle launch pads (39B) out of use for upgrade by the Constellation program might impact that capability. That has apparently been resolved as well. JSC also has a crew selected for this mission. Word has it that a formal announcement is being planned for next week with Tuesday, 31 October, as the planned announcement date at GSFC. It is uncertain whether the crew will be announced at that time. Stay tuned.

Hubble's ACS Is Back In Action

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4220, STSCI

"Flash Report: ACS HRC Biases and Darks look good - Everything looks nominal. The frames are clean. The CCD appears to have annealed well, and the C-amplifier readnoise is at the expected (historical) level. The bias levels in these first images are just a bit above the historical averages (a few % high), but this is expected for biases obtained soon after the HRC is configured for science operations. We expect the bias levels to drop to the nominal values within a few hours, and this return to the historical average should be evident in the next set obtained on Wednesday. Looks like we have another terrific ACS camera back on line and operating well."

Hubble ACS Fixed

Hubble Space Telescope Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Status Report #2

"Early on October 9 engineers sent commands to Hubble Space Telescope to toggle the suspect relay. Telemetry confirmed that the relay cycled open and closed as expected. Engineers determined this action succeeded in restoring the HRC at 5:40 am on October 9 during the first opportunity to restore power to the +35V bias line. Since this test was fully successful, further workarounds will not be required. NASA engineers believe the cause of the open circuit was a tiny particle of dust or fabric physically interfering with the electrical contact."

Hubble Update

Hubble's key camera shuts down again, New Scientist

"The Hubble Space Telescope's most frequently used instrument, the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), has shut down unexpectedly. Hubble's managers are still investigating the problem, but they are optimistic that they will be able to use the camera again soon."

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4208

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4207

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4206

Earlier Hubble reports and news

A Little Hubble Trouble

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4205

"The ACS suspended at 266/15:21:25 GMT. ... A detailed analysis of the event is underway with a tiger team meeting at 1pm Sunday. A follow-up status meeting is planned with HSTP for 9am Monday in. Actions from the tiger team meeting: -Investigate whether ASPC-2 relay status are analog, if analog assess the raw data for shifts that indicate whether or not all the relays switched."

Hubble Hardware Damaged

New Hubble Space Telescope Hardware Damaged On The Ground, SpaceRef

"According to NASA sources, last Thursday, an eye bolt supporting a lifting rig failed while off-loading the Wide-field Scientific Instrument Protective Enclosure (WSIPE) dropping the rig onto the WSIPE."

More from the Anonymous NY Times Science Experts

Safe Return for the Shuttle, editorial, NY Times

"Discovery's seemingly unblemished flight raises some hope that a shuttle mission to rejuvenate the Hubble Space Telescope, NASA's most important scientific instrument, may prove feasible. Such a mission would be somewhat more risky than a trip to the space station because the astronauts would not have a place to take refuge were the shuttle orbiter to be damaged. But the scientific payoff, in our view, would be far greater than any likely research benefits from the space station."

Hubble Update

NASA HST Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) Status Update

"On Thursday afternoon, June 29, the HST's senior managers attended the Flight Readiness Review (FRR) of the activities required to install flight software into, and transition the ACS to its Side 2 (redundant) electronics. The review was also attended by Dr. Jennifer Wiseman (NASA HQ) and the ST ScI Director, Dr. Matt Mountain."

Hubble Update

NASA Issues Hubble Space Telescope Status Report

NASA Hubble Space Telescope: Update on Suspension of ACS Operations, STSCI

"At this point, the ACS is in a safe configuration, and analysis of engineering data at the time of the suspension is ongoing. Initial indications are that there is a problem with one set of electronics used to provide power to the CCDs. A review board is meeting June 29 to determine the best course of action."

Hubble Trouble: Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS)

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4141

"ACS Transition to Operate1 - Ops Request 17802-0 was completed at 173/21:11:12, successfully transitioning ACS from Suspend to its Operate1 state. In this state, ACS normal engineering data collection can be observed."

NASA Hubble Space Telescope's Advanced Camera for Surveys Suspends Operations, STSCI

"On Monday, 19 June 2006, at 1:15 pm EDT (17:15 UT), the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) issued status buffer messages indicating that the +15V and +5V power supply voltages in the CCD Electronics Box (CEB) were above their high limits, causing the ACS to suspend. This event occurred in a period with no ACS commanding and outside the SAA. A dump of the relevant data showed that a total of 36 CEB items exceeded limits at the time of the event."

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4138

The ACS suspended at 170/17:15:25z. An Ops Briefing was held at 6 pm on June 19, 2006. At 170/17:15:25 the ACS 715 and ACS 707 status buffer (STB) messages were received indicating the ACS WFC CEB analog signal processing +15 and + 5 volt power supply voltages were out of limits high which resulted in the ACS suspend. Detailed analysis of the event is underway with a tiger team meeting planned for Tuesday.

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4139

Flash Report: Status Briefing - ACS Suspend Status Update

A follow-up briefing was held at 1 pm on June 20, 2006 to review the status of the analysis on the ACS suspend event.

Discussion/Agreements:

The preliminary data analysis of the event was presented as well as a review of the data collection process and the A/D FIFO Error handling. The forward plan for the STScI regarding the present SMS and near-term SMSs was discussed. It was agreed to intercept the science timeline with an SMS without ACS effective 8am EDT Thursday and to develop next week's SMS without ACS activities. The STScI will be ready to provide an intercept SMS with ACS observations when needed. The options for on-orbit tests to troubleshoot side 1 were also discussed.

It was agreed to reconvene on Thursday at 1pm to review the hardware assessment and the options for on-orbit activities.

Hubble In -and Out - of Safe Mode

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4134

"DOY 164/2006 Zero-Gyro Sunpoint (ZGSP) Safemode Flash Report - At GMT 164/20:35:26 the vehicle entered ZGSP Safemode due to the failure of the Magnetic Field Position safemode test. The initial investigation shows no signs of hardware issues. ... The recovery of HST from the Zero Gyro Sun Point safemode entry is proceeding nominally."

Hubble Enters Safe Mode

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4093

"HST SAFEMODE: HST entered inertial hold on day 107:03:10:00.5 after failing a bright earth/moon avoidance test. All SIs are up in operate mode with no out-of-limit conditions."

Another Hubble Stunner

Photo release: Largest ever galaxy portrait - stunning HD image of Pinwheel Galaxy

"This new Hubble image reveals the gigantic Pinwheel galaxy, one of the best known examples of "grand design spirals", and its supergiant star-forming regions in unprecedented detail. The image is the largest and most detailed photo of a spiral galaxy ever released."

Hubble Trouble

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report #4028

"WFPC2 WF4 Supplemental Darks - A anomaly has been found in images from the WF4 CCD in WFPC2. The WF4 CCD bias level appears to have become unstable, resulting in sporadic images with either low or zero bias level. The severity and frequency of the problem is rapidly increasing, and it is possible that WF4 will soon become unusable if no work-around is found. The other three CCDs {PC1, WF2, and WF3} appear to be unaffected and continue to operate properly. These darks are to supplement those in program 10748 to ensure sufficient dark frames for routine calibration. As the WF4 anomaly grows worse, we are beginning to see episodes where too many darks are corrupted and are unusable."

WFPC2 Advisories, StScI

"Partial repair of the WF4 anomaly: Over the last few days we tested a strategy to mitigate the WF4 anomaly by reducing the set point of one of the heaters in WFPC2. Specifically, at 12:28 UT on 9 January 2006 we reduced the upper set point of the WFPC2 Replacement Heater from 14.9C to 12.2C."

Changing Hubble Opinions from Ed Weiler

Editor's note:In the 18 July edition of Space News, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Director (and former Associate Administrator for Space Science) Ed Weiler says that he did not agree with the way that former NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe handled the Hubble Space Telescope issue.

Curiously, Weiler took a totally different stance in late 2003 as O'Keefe was preparing to make his decision about not sending the SM-4 Shuttle Servicing mission to repair and reboost Hubble. Indeed, Weiler was outright supportive of what O'Keefe was thinking of announcing a few months hence - and he put it in writing.

In a formal letter sent to senior NASA Headquarters management in early November 2003 - one wherein Weiler repeatedly professes support for NASA's Return to Flight effort - Weiler said "The unique orbit of the telescope does not allow for use of the International Space Station (ISS) as a "safe haven" and we are convinced that the enhanced science, even after addition of the new instruments now planned, does not justify accepting more risk than is presently being assumed for the ISS flights."

Weiler continues, saying "As presently configured, HST can survive for extended periods, even if it is not doing science, and its survival should not be a schedule driver for the foreseeable future. If HST has to be placed in safe mode for a period of time, so be it. There is no HST situation that warrants taking additional risk to the safety of the astronauts or workers processing the shuttle."

Kicking the Hubble Disposal Issue Down the Road

Editor's note: There will be a Hubble Space Telescope meeting at NASA HQ next week. Among the items to be discussed is a new solar activity model which some people at NASA think will allow the Hubble to remain safely aloft for quite some time after a reboost from the visiting shuttle.

This way, so the thinking goes, the hope is that a deorbit module i.e. the PDM (Propulsion Deorbit Module) will not need to be included on the SM-4 mission. Apparently, a few weeks ago, when Mike Griffin was briefed on Hubble, an estimated deorbit some time in 2030 was mentioned. According to a participant Griffin said something to the effect of "why are we worrying about it then?".

Deleting the PDM solve some vexing upmass issues. It would also save NASA a large amount of money. Not only would the PDM not need to be developed, but money would not be needed to modify the FSS (the payload carrier that holds Hubble in Shuttle's cargo bay) to accomodate the PDM.

Of course, the issue of bringing Hubble back will have to be addressed someday - but at least it won't have to be dealt with during Mike Griffin's time as Administrator.

Calvert: Deorbit Hubble: "a wise way to proceed"

Rep. Ken Calvert Calls for New Rules and Tools for the Second Space Age

"The Hubble Space Telescope program has been a fantastic program that has delivered images beyond our wildest dreams!  It is performing beyond its original design life.  NASA already has plans for a next generation telescope - the James Webb Telescope.  Although we will have a gap of coverage, Hubble has delivered volumes of data that will keep scientists busy for years to come.  NASA is planning the development of a de-orbit module, which I think is a wise way to proceed."

Hubble Problem Solved

SLOOH.COM Buys Hubble Space Telescope

"Effective today, the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has transferred ownership of the Hubble Space Telescope to the small internet firm SLOOH.com."

Hoyer Urges Hubble Fix

Lawmaker Urges NASA on Hubble Mission, AP

"This is a very important mission for us to continue and complete," [Hoyer] said during a tour of the Hubble lab, which holds the robotic arm that could be used to fix the telescope. But Al Diaz, NASA's Associate Administrator for Science who was on the same tour, said the agency has no plans to send a mission, manned or robotic, to repair Hubble. "We don't intend on servicing it, that's where we are," Diaz said."

The Baltimore Sun Is One Space Disaster Behind

First Hubble, then Mars, opinion, Baltimore Sun

"Fixing Hubble would mean shuttling people to the telescope one last time, as has been done four times previously. While it's understandable that space officials are skittish after the Challenger disaster..."

Editor's note: I don't think the Challenger accident had too much of an effect on the SM-4 mission decision process.

Plans for Hubble's End Commence

Wrangle over Hubble's future could grow, New Scientist

"NASA has begun a week-long meeting to discuss the possibility of using robots to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope. But agency officials say the meeting will focus mainly on ways to simply de-orbit Hubble by guiding it into the atmosphere, crashing it safely into the ocean."

Letter from Sen. Mikulski to Acting NASA Administrator Fred Gregory regarding Hubble servicing mission work

"The funding that I included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act is to ensure that the workforce at Goddard, the Space Telescope Science Institute and their associated contractors remain fully engaged in all aspects of a servicing mission. Any attempt to cancel, terminate or suspend servicing activity would be a violation of the law unless it has the approval of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees."

Bob Zubrin Resumes His Hubble Rants

Editor's note: And I suppose The wealth of technical advice at NASA was simply unavailable to Mr. O'Keefe?

"Mr. O'Keefe countered by ordering high- level NASA officials who were known to be ardent supporters of Hubble to take public stands supporting his decision. The disgusting spectacle of bureaucratic self-humiliation that followed was more reminiscent of a Stalin-era show trial than a technical debate, and appropriately, only excited derision in the press."

Editor's note: "Stalin"? Really Bob - your armwaving has reached a new height - or rather, a new low this time.

"Mr. O'Keefe subsequently announced his resignation, but then, before departing, submitted a NASA budget containing no funds for either SM4 or robotic repair."

Editor's note: Uh, Bob, that was the budget the White House submitted to Congress.

"NASA calculates that if Hubble were to re-enter without direction, there is a 1/10,000 chance that the resulting debris would strike someone. That works out to a probability of one life saved per $3 trillion spent. If life-saving is the mission, $300 million could do a lot more good spent on tsunami relief, body armor for the troops, highway safety barriers, childhood vaccinations, swimming lessons, take your pick."

"Instead of stupidly and heartlessly wasting $300 million to destroy Hubble, we should use $100 million to save and upgrade this gem of science and civilization, and spend the other $200 million to save the lives of tens of thousands of destitute children far more worthy of our charity than the Hubble deorbit program."

Editor's note: Save Hubble for the world's children? Gee, why not lend a helping hand. The billions that you want to be spent on a human mission to Mars could do even greater humanitarian good, eh Bob?

"The damage done to NASA and the new space initiative by Mr. O'Keefe's irrational actions has been substantial, and threatens to become much worse and long lasting if his decision is allowed to stand. Effectively, by choosing the most valuable part of the old space program and selecting it for destruction as collateral damage of implementing the new, the former Administrator has branded the President's vision with the mark of Cain."

Editor's note: Biblical condemnation? Wow. I can wait to see what you hurl at O'Keefe next, Bob.

"Americans committed to a sane, moral, and courageous space policy need to mobilize now to save Hubble. Everyone should call their own Senators and Congressional representatives, ask to speak to their legislative aides, and demand that the SM4 mission to save and upgrade Hubble be reinstated, and that not a penny of the taxpayers' money be spent on the immoral Hubble de-orbit mission."

Editor's note: So those who support the abandonment of Hubble at the end of its mission are immoral Bob?

Once again, Bob, my advice is for you to sit down, and shut up. As was the case with your earlier bout of arm waving, Your latest Hubble rant has nothing to do with Mars and serves only to inflame emotions instead of encouraging rational discussion.

Mike Griffin: Hubble Savior or ...?

Nominee Wins Quick Praise for His Technical Expertise, Science

"A test of that position will come soon enough, given O'Keefe's decision not to send the shuttle again to service the telescope. The same day that the White House announced Griffin's nomination, the National Academies released its final report on Hubble calling for a shuttle flight to upgrade the instruments."

Bush's nominee to be NASA administrator faces the challenge of exploring space in an era of tax cuts and runaway deficits, Houston Chronicle

"Griffin, almost certain to be confirmed by the Senate, has an important advantage over his predecessor, Sean O'Keefe. Griffin knows how to explore space. Even if Congress cuts NASA's budget, Griffin would be able to reverse O'Keefe's decision to let the Hubble Space Telescope deteriorate rather than undergo any risk to space shuttle astronauts."

Editor's note: This would of course, be very interesting to watch since Mike Griffin will work for the very same White House which endorsed Sean O'Keefe's decisions regarding Hubble - and adjusted the agency's budget profiles accordingly - two fiscal years in a row. Such a reversal would be a change in Bush Administration policy - and we don't really see a lot of that, now do we?

Final NAS Rpeort on Hubble Servicing Options

Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope: Final Report, NAS

"This situation resulted in an unprecedented outcry from scientists and the public. As a result, NASA began to explore and develop a robotic servicing mission;Congress directed NASA to request a study from the National Research Council (NRC) of the robotic and shuttle servicing options for extending the life of Hubble. This report presents an assessment of those two options."

AAS Issues Hubble Servicing Statement

AAS Calls Servicing Hubble Important for Astronomy, Urges NASA to Stick with the Decade Plan

"In releasing the statement, President Robert Kirshner stated, "I am personally very disappointed with NASA's current plan not to service HST. You can be sure we will work with them to help realize the goals of astronomers as carefully worked out through our decade plan. We know that NASA is committed to doing the world's best astronomy and servicing Hubble with the Shuttle is part of the best program."

Hubble: Mikulski Lays Down the Law

Letter from Sen. Mikulski to Acting NASA Administrator Fred Gregory regarding Hubble servicing mission work

"The funding that I included in the Omnibus Appropriations Act is to ensure that the workforce at Goddard, the Space Telescope Science Institute and their associated contractors remain fully engaged in all aspects of a servicing mission. Any attempt to cancel, terminate or suspend servicing activity would be a violation of the law unless it has the approval of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees."

Hubble Two Gyro Test Underway

NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report # 3803

"ACS & WFPC2 Two-gyro PSF, pointing and dither test: 12 orbits High priority observations {5 orbits} will be observed together at start of two- gyro SMS. Remaining 7 orbits provide further tests and additional experience in two-gyro mode. Goals: PSF, PSF repeatability, pointing and stability within the orbit {requirements 1a, 1c, 2 , 4}"

Gyro sacrifice may extend Hubble's life, New Scientist

"Engineers are testing whether the Hubble Space Telescope should clip its own wings in an attempt to survive as long as possible without a servicing mission. Preliminary results suggest the new, scaled-down operating mode will buy the telescope an extra year of life - possibly until the end of 2008 - without sacrificing too much science."

Blunt Talk About Hubble

Fade to black, Op Ed, Cooky Oberg, USA Today

"The cavalier and dismissive way NASA has handled the Hubble repair mission issue is a symptom of how poorly the White House and NASA teams have led the space effort in recent years, and how insincere their commitment to science and space exploration really is."

INCOMING !!!

Bush Orders Army to Shoot Down NASA’s Hubble Telescope. "Hooah!", The Spoof

"FORT SILL, OK (STARS & STRIPES) Within moments of the Bush Administration's failure to fund repairs to the NASA Hubble Space Telescope, an order was given to the US Army 30th Field Artillery Regiment to shoot down the aging telescope from its orbit around the earth."

They Ain't Happy at Goddard

Hubble Decision a Blow To Goddard Engineers, Washington Post

"The decision to deny Goddard Space Flight Center engineers a chance to roll out their plan prompted incredulity even among those most skeptical about the feasibility of robotic servicing. It also promises to reignite debate over the fate of the telescope, an international icon for most of the 15 years it has been aloft."

Son of Hubble

Astronomers Urge Congress to Continue Hubble Science - Johns Hopkins-led team presents new option

"The world faces a dilemma: how to keep the flow of science and discovery from the ailing Hubble Space Telescope alive. According to an international team led by Johns Hopkins University astronomers, the best answer may lie not in a robot-led or manned repair mission, but through the launch of a brand new, free-flying telescope called the "Hubble Origins Probe."

Hubble Hearing

Presented Testimony

House Science Committee Explores Options for Hubble

House Science Committee Democrats Urge Administration to Preserve Hubble

House Science Committee Hearing Charter: Options for Hubble Science

Hubble Trouble (Again)

NASA Budget Cuts Plan to Service Hubble, Sources Say, Washington Post

"The sources, who declined to be identified because the budget will not be officially rolled out until Feb. 7, could not confirm a report by Space.com, an online news service, that the budget would include money to develop a robotic vehicle to steer the telescope into the sea when its batteries or gyros give out, probably sometime after 2007."

Lanzerotti to testify on Hubble scope's future, Observer Tribune

"Louis J. Lanzerotti is expected to testify before Congress next month about why the Hubble Space Telescope needs federal money to replace some of its monitoring equipment."

U.S. to cut funds to fix Hubble telescope, Reuters

"Steve Beckwith, head of the Space Telescope Science Institute that manages Hubble, said he was surprised by the reports, and questioned the relative risk of sending astronauts to the orbiting telescope. Beckwith said the National Academy of Sciences report found an astronaut mission to fix Hubble would be no riskier than a shuttle mission to the International Space Station."

Senator Vows to Fight for Hubble, SKy & Telescope

"Hubble project scientist David Leckrone (NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center) was surprised by the latest attack on Hubble but not ready to concede defeat. "Rumors like this sometimes are just trial balloons," said Leckrone. "This agency has found the way to pay for four prior servicing missions to HST. It can do it again."

Sources: Hubble servicing mission cut from budget, Space.com/CNN

"The White House has eliminated funding for a mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope from its 2006 budget request and directed NASA to focus solely on de-orbiting the popular spacecraft at the end of its life, according to government and industry sources."

Statement of Senator Mikulski on Neccessity of Hubble Servicing Mission

"It is essential that we have a safe and reliable servicing mission to Hubble that is consistent with the Gehman Commission and the National Academy of Sciences.  I will continue to advocate for this mission: I led the fight to add $300 million to NASA's budget last year for a Hubble servicing mission, and I plan to lead the fight again this year.  This is what the American people expect and deserve."

Update: Just heard on NBC Nightly News 7:00 PM EST: "A senior Administration official confirms an Internet report" that the budget will not contain funds necessary to rescue Hubble Space Telescope.

American Astronomical Society Endorses NRC Report on "The Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of Hubble Space Telescope"

IEEE-USA Urges 'Safe Servicing' of Hubble Space Telescope for Humankind

Space Shuttle Should Conduct Final Servicing Mission To Hubble Space Telescope, NAS

Astronomers Want to Send Astronauts to Hubble

American Astronomical Society Endorses NRC Report on "The Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of Hubble Space Telescope"

"The American Astronomical Society (AAS) endorses the work of this distinguished committee and its conclusion that the lowest risk HST servicing mission is a manned servicing mission as originally envisioned for SM-4."

IEEE: Send Humans to Hubble

30 December 2004: IEEE-USA Urges 'Safe Servicing' of Hubble Space Telescope for Humankind

"NASA should continue planning and preparing for the [space shuttle] SM-4 [servicing] mission, while expert panels and the National Academy of Science develop their reports and the [servicing] issue is thoroughly reviewed." IEEE- USA stressed that it "supports exploring all possible avenues to prolong the useful life of the telescope for the benefit of science and humanity."

GAO Questions NASA Hubble Costs

17 December 2004: GAO Report: Space Shuttle - Costs for Hubble Servicing Mission and Implementation of Safety Recommendations Not Yet Definitive

"Although a shuttle servicing mission is one of the options for servicing the Hubble Space Telescope, to date, NASA does not have a definitive estimate of the potential cost. At our request, NASA prepared an estimate of the funding needed for a shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble. NASA estimates the cost at between $1.7 billion to $2.4 billion. However, documentary support for portions of the estimate is insufficient."

Dazed and Confused in Houston

12 December 2004: Amid the house cleaning, NASA needs a sweep-out, OpEd, Cragg Hines, Houston Chronicle

"Why all the balletic avoidance of a central implication in the independent study on how to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope? Hasn't NASA chief Sean O'Keefe been so wrong and so duplicitous in his attempt to kill the gloriously successful project that he should quit in embarrassment or be fired?"

Editor's note:Let's see, Cragg: a NASA Administrator errs on the side of safety - and does so in response to a report chronicling the mistakes that led up to the loss of 7 astronauts - most of which had to do with lack of attention to safety - and now you think he should be fired? Calling for him to step down over the Hubble decision is not only unsubstantiated, it is just plain goofy.

NAS Tells NASA to Send Shuttle to Hubble

8 December 2004: Space Shuttle Should Conduct Final Servicing Mission To Hubble Space Telescope, NAS

"To ensure continuation of the extraordinary scientific output of the Hubble Space Telescope and to prepare for its eventual de-orbiting, NASA should send a space shuttle mission, not a robotic one, says a new congressionally requested report from the National Academies' National Research Council."

8 December 2004: House Science Committee Chairman Boehlert Response to National Acadmey Study on Hubble Servicing Mission

8 December 2004: Press Statement: Gordon Reaction to Academy Hubble Report

Editor's note: it is curious that this press release identifies Gordon as being "D-TX"...

Two Hubble Rescue Reports Due Soon

6 December 2004: National Academies Advisory: Dec. 8 News Conference on Hubble Space Telescope

"ASSESSMENT OF OPTIONS FOR EXTENDING THE LIFE OF THE HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE, a new congressionally mandated report from the National Academies' National Research Council, assesses the viability of proposed shuttle or robotic missions to upgrade the telescope.  The report will be released at a one-hour news conference."

6 December 2004: Report Discourages NASA Plan to Save Hubble, NPR

"A confidential report commissioned by NASA has concluded that the space agency's plan to use a robot to save the Hubble telescope is highly risky. The robot would install two new instruments and replace batteries and gyroscopes."

Executive Summary, Aerospace Corp (Via NPR)

6 December 2004: Robotic fix for Hubble challenged, MSNBC

"According to an executive summary obtained by MSNBC.com, the report concludes that robotic missions are too challenging given the time remaining until the telescope's systems begin failing. A public affairs official at Aerospace Corporation declined to comment on the details of the report, noting that it was up to NASA whether the report was publicly released."

Hubble Costs Escalate

27 November 2004: Expense may sink Hubble mission, Florida Today

"NASA's plan to launch a remote-controlled, two-armed android to repair the Hubble Space Telescope may cost almost as much as taxpayers paid to build the vaunted observatory in the first place. The estimated price tag of a robotic rescue mission -- between $1 billion and $2 billion -- is raising eyebrows and questions about whether Hubble is worth the investment amid tight budgets and periodic reports of technical woes that could cripple the spacecraft before the robot gets there."

Earlier Hubble Entries

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3 July 2004: Hubble is not being held hostage, Sean O'Keefe, Toledo Blade

"The Blade accurately captured NASA's intent to "Keep Hubble alive" in its June 30 editorial, but that's about all it got right. The Hubble shuttle servicing mission was put on hold because it is doubtful we could mount such a shuttle mission that adheres to the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board. There are several technical requirements for such a mission that may not be complete and tested prior to the Hubble telescope going dark."

29 June 2004: Keep Hubble alive, Toledo Blade

"The Bush Administration caused an uproar in the scientific community in January when it announced that the observatory would be allowed to die because a manned space shuttle mission to service it would be too expensive, not to mention risky given the disaster that befell Columbia shuttle last year."

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18 June 2004: Letter from Eugene Cernan to Sen. Hutchinson Regarding Hubble Space Telescope Servicing

"I am now better informed, am a little wiser on the subject, and today am retracting my support as expressed in the subject letter. I believe we all realize the significance of both the scientific results of and public interest in the Hubble. I also believe that if there is a way either manned or robotically, the Hubble will continue to be a serviceable asset without comprising the shuttle's primary mission of space station completion."

18 June 2004: Letter from Thomas Stafford to Sen. Hutchinson Regarding Hubble Space Telescope Servicing by NASA

"It is not necessary to send humans when a robotic mission can extend the useful life of the HST. By advocating an unmanned robotic mission to the HST, NASA has not only embraced the CAIB recommendations, but has taken a step to preclude undue risk. As an added benefit, the demonstration of such robotic capabilities will be important as NASA implements the vision for space exploration."

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16 June 2004: NASA Solicitation: Dexterous Robot and Grapple Arm for HST Robotic Servicing and Deorbit MIssion (HRSDM)

"NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) intends to issue a sole source Request for Proposal (RFP) to MD Robotics for the development of a robotic grapple arm and a double-armed dexterous robot that would be needed to accomplish the hardware exchange during a potential spaceflight mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), called the HST Robotic Servicing and De-orbit Mission (HRSDM)."

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1 June 2004: NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe's Remarks to the American Astronomical Society Annual Meeting

"An example of how we are combining the output of the Hubble, Chandra and Spitzer telescopes with ground based telescopes and the European Space Agency's XMM-Newton to advance astronomical knowledge can be found in the work of the GOODs team, or Great Observatories Origins Deep Survey. Using this synergistic approach, the GOODs team today is announcing results that dramatically highlight our ability to learn much more about distant galaxies and quasars. We should all recognize that the ability to have coordinated observations of objects in space is a relatively new phenomenon. I salute the GOODs team for organizing this remarkable effort."

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1 June 2004: NASA Considering Robotic Servicing Mission to Hubble Space Telescope

"NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe today announced the agency's decision to pursue the feasibility of a robotic servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST). NASA initiated the first step toward enabling such a mission with the release of a Request for Proposals today. The due date for proposal submissions is July 16, 2004."

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28 May 2004: Hutchison presses Bush to save Hubble telescope, Houston Chronicle

"The astronaut's petition calls the robotic option a waste of time and money, and claims it might not work. The former astronauts also argue that NASA already has spent about $250 million for new cameras and other equipment to upgrade Hubble, but it's unlikely a robot could accomplish all the repairs humans could. "We, the real risk-takers, believe the attendant risks of the Hubble servicing mission are no more than the 90 previous manned missions to similar orbits, and are justified by the Hubble Space Telescope's immense contributions to the space sciences," the astronauts wrote."

28 May 2004: Letter from Sen. Hutchinson to President Bush - Hubble Repair Petition from Former Astronauts

"We, the undersigned astronauts, respectfully petition you to direct the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the Honorable Sean O'Keefe, to reinstate the Space Shuttle mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Our reasons are as follows: ..."

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12 May 2004: NASA Hubble Space Telescope Robotic Servicing/Deorbit Module Draft Solicitation, NASA GSFC

12 May 2004: NASA Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Robotic Vehicle Mission Level II/III Requirements Document - DRAFT, NASA GSFC

"This Contract End Item (CEI) Specification establishes the requirements for the design, performance, and verification of the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Robotic Vehicle (HRV), which will be launched from an Expendable Launch Vehicle (ELV) and will Autonomously Rendezvous and Capture (AR&C) with the HST."

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10 May 2004: NASA Weighs Robotic Mission To Aid Hubble, Washington Post

"Weiler said Goddard expects to decide by June 1 whether to formally request bids on a robotic mission. He said he did not know whether NASA would choose one contractor or several, run the project itself or seek a private-sector partner."

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3 May 2004: NASA Presolicitation Notice: Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Deorbit Module, NASA GSFC

"NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST) DEORBIT MODULE. This procurement is intended to be full and open and all responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. The anticipated release date of the Final RFP is on or about 1 June 2004 with an anticipated offer due date of 21 July 2004."

Editor's note: Looks like the folks at GSFC have already made up their minds on Hubble's fate. As such I wonder why they went through the process of soliciting alternate solutions wherein the HST would be SAVED. Or is this a back-up capability in case none of the repair/upgrade solutions pan out?

Editor's note: Update: The following notice was issued to correct misimpressions generated by the earlier notice.

3 May 2004: NASA Presolicitation Notice: Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Robotic Servicing/Deorbit Module, NASA GSFC

"This posting supersedes the notice No. HST-DM-0001-GDJ entitled "HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST) DEORBIT MODULE", which was posted on April 30, 3004. NASA/GSFC plans to issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE (HST) ROBOTIC SERVICING/DEORBIT MODULE. The HST Robotic Servicing/Deorbit Module is only one part of an overall concept that could be used to extend the useful life of the observatory through various system hardware augmentations and then ultimately safely deorbit HST at the end of its mission. This concept is currently under review within NASA with decisions planned by the end of May."

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29 April 2004: Rebuttal to Comments by the Houston Chronicle and Robert Zubrin Regarding NASA's Hubble Repair Options, Dennis Wingo, SpaceRef

"Mr. Cragg Hines, a reporter for the Houston Chronicle begins by calling the potential for a robotic servicing "a pipedream." He goes on to imply that any discussion by NASA of such a mission as a ruse to get an administrator who did not understand the public outcry at canceling Hubble to calm a political storm until after the election."

"My good friend Dr. Robert Zubrin chimes in as the scientist with sufficient gravitas to back up these assertions proclaiming that "no one outside of O'Keefe's direct orders agrees with him that such a robotic mission is possible". Well Bob I am not under O'Keefe's orders and I agree and attest that it is possible."

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22 April 2004: Robotic Hubble Servicing Is Feasible, NASA Decides, Aviation Week

"We won't have to select and start funding contractors until after the Academy reports ... but we have to get the RFP ball rolling and proposals in to be evaluated so that when the academy report comes out, we will have the ability to take swift and determined action," Weiler said. "If we're going to do a robotic mission [in 2007-2008], we've got to get people under contract this fall."

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30 March 2004: Months after NASA decision, Hubble debate still simmers, PBS Newshour

"Ideas on how to prolong Hubble's life, such as bringing the telescope into the same orbit as the International Space Station to facilitate its servicing, continue to pour into the message boards on NASA's Hubble Web site. "

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27 March 2004: SRES 324 IS - Expressing the sense of the Senate relating to the extraordinary contributions resulting from the Hubble Space Telescope

"...strongly recommends that the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration appoint an independent panel of expert scientists and engineers inside and outside of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to examine all possible options for safely carrying out the planned servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope and assess alternative servicing methods; and..."

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22 March 2004: Hubble debate a lot of sound and fury, MSNBC

"NASA Administrator Sean O Keefe recently released a lengthy defense of the rationale behind canceling the repair mission cancellation rationale, and even though it came out far too late, it deserves attention because it makes very good points that are too widely overlooked."

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21 March 2004: Doomed Hubble's Fans Flood NASA With Ideas, Washington Post

"Not plausible so far, however, is the idea that the shuttle might somehow tow the telescope to the international space station for periodic servicing. This engineering exploit, a favorite on the Internet, would require a change in the inclination and height of Hubble's orbit. "It would take a tremendous amount of power to do that," [Hubble project manager Preston] Burch said in a telephone interview. "And if you bring it down to the space station, how do you get it back up?"

Editor's note: Oh C'mon Preston. Did you really say this? It would seem that your mind is already made up with regard to alternatives. No one is talking about using the Shuttle to do this. I guess you have never heard of robotic electric propulsion (among other things).

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14 March 2004: NASA's Hubble Space Telescope: A Fate Far From Certain, SpaceRef

"Gehman passed on a chance to backup the core recommendations that the CAIB had made. Indeed, in addition to not answering the question asked of him, he punted on the issue and suggested that further study needed to be done noting "I suggest only a deep and rich study of the entire gain/risk equation can answer the question of whether an extension of the life of the wonderful Hubble telescope is worth the risks involved, and that is beyond the scope of this letter."

Curiously, the man whose panel pounded out the unrelenting mantra of 'prove that it's safe' now suggested in this first great test of the veracity of what the CAIB had recommended that NASA could go ahead and only 'do your best'."

14 March 2004: Hubble Future In Jeopardy, (transcript), 60 Minutes

"Ask any person the name of a playwright. Most of them would say Shakespeare," says Dr. Mario Livio. "Ask them the name of a scientist. Most of them would say Einstein. Ask the name of a telescope. They will all say Hubble."

14 March 2004: Commentary on Fox News by Brian Wilson

"I'll bet if you polled the astronaut corps there would be overwhelming support to fly this mission" "Mr. O'Keefe: Even if you no longer have the right stuff, our astronauts still do".

14 March 2004: Advancing Both Science and Safety, Op Ed, Sean O'Keefe, NY Times

"Accordingly, it may not make sense to devote time and energy to a mission to the Hubble - only to find that the safety actions and procedures required by the board could not be followed. This would place NASA in the untenable position of having to decide whether to undertake the Hubble mission without the required safety elements in place. This is precisely the type of "schedule pressure" that the board quite correctly cited as undermining the future safe operation of the shuttle."

13 March 2004: Astronomical Exaggerations, OpEd, NY Times

"Mr. O'Keefe's rationale has to do with the risks of servicing the Hubble in the aftermath of last year's Columbia disaster. The administrator is determined to put in place all of the safety-enhancing recommendations issued by the board that investigated the loss of that shuttle. That is as it should be, but proper caution need not mean paralysis."

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12 March 2004: Analysis: Hubble's end not quite foregone, UPI

"My view is when someone is told they need major surgery, any prudent person would get a second opinion," Mikulski said in a statement. "That's what I told administrator O'Keefe and that's what he has agreed to do. Hubble has made so many extraordinary contributions to science, exploration and discovery. We cannot prematurely terminate the last servicing mission without a rigorous review."

12 March 2004: NASA Agrees to New Study on Mission to Telescope, NY Times

12 March 2004: Senators want NASA to rethink ending shuttle flights to Hubble, Orlando Sentinel

12 March 2004: O'Keefe to get second opinion before deciding Hubble's fate, Houston Chronicle

12 March 2004: Senators Ask NASA for Hubble Alternative, AP

11 March 2004: NASA Reviewer Calls for Further Study of Decision to Abandon Hubble Telescope, House Science Committee, Democratic Membership

11 March 2004: Mikulski Questions NASA Administrator on Decision to Cancel Hubble Servicing Mission

"I want to thank Administrator O'Keefe for agreeing to seek a second opinion. I also want to thank Admiral Gehman for his efforts. While he finds that a shuttle mission to Hubble is "slightly riskier" than a mission to the Space Station, he also notes that "only a deep and rich study of the entire gain/risk equation can answer the question of whether an extension of the life of the wonderful Hubble telescope is worth the risks involved." I wholeheartedly agree. That's why I am asking the National Academy of Sciences and General Accounting Office for further study and analysis," said Mikulski"

5 March 2004: Letter from Adm. Gehman to Senator Mikulski (PDF)

10 March 2004: Letter from Administrator O'Keefe to Sen. Barbara Milkulski (PDF)

11 March 2004: Letter from Sen. Bon and Sen. Mikulski (PDF)

11 March 2004: NASA White Paper: Cancellation of the Fifth (SM-4) Hubble Servicing Mission

"Recognizing the increased risks involved in all Shuttle flights following the tragic loss of the Columbia and crew NASA elected to reduce its planned Shuttle manifest to only missions to the International Space Station (ISS). The decision was also made, on the basis of risk, to not pursue a final servicing mission to the HST, but instead to investigate other options to extend the life of the Hubble."

10 March 2004: NASA Receives Gehman Letter on Hubble SM4 Decision

Editor's note: In hearings before the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sean O'Keefe announced that NASA had received a response from CAIB Chair Hal Gehman who did a review of the SM4 mission cancellation. Gehman suggested that NASA seek additional outside advice. Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) said that she would like to see the GAO do a study of the costs associated with the SM4 mission cancellation and have the National Academy of Sciences do a study of the overall risks and benefits of a servicing mission. O'Keefe said "we'd be delighted to get the Academy's views."

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10 March 2004: NASA Hubble Space Telescope Daily Report # 3566, STScI

Editor's note: After well over a decade of reporting the progress of HST observations in a dry, no nonsense technical format, these Hubble Daily Reports are now becoming increasingly political. First, there was the addition of the phrase "Continuing to collect World Class Science" in the title shortly after the cancellation of the SM4 mission. Now, with this specific report (go all the way to the bottom) these official reports are now being used to alert people to SM4 cancellation stories on CNN - in this case, using text from a Mars Society email alert reagrding "Hubble abandonment".

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9 March 2004: Hubble Decision Featured on "360 with Anderson Cooper", CNN

Editor's note: According to the Mars Society "Mars Society President Dr. Robert Zubrin, Space Telescope Science Institute Director Dr. Steve Beckwith, and NASA Administrator Mr. Sean O'Keefe will discuss the Hubble Space Telescope on CNN tonight. At issue is Mr. O'Keefe's controversial decision to desert the space telescope. Both Dr. Zubrin and Dr. Beckwith oppose Hubble abandonment."

Contrary to the Mars Society's totally misleading title for their email update announcing the CNN program i.e. "Zubrin, O'Keefe, Beckwith to Debate Hubble on CNN Tonight" there will be no "debate". O'Keefe recorded his interview with Miles O'Brien yesterday. Zubrin's and Beckwith's comments are taped as well. This segment airs at 7-8 PM EST. This segment will reportedly air again on Aaron Brown's show tonight at 10:00 PM EST

update: Well, it was hardly the 'debate' the Mars Society was advertising. Rather, O'Keefe got two 15 second sound bites, Zubrin got one - and used the phrase "moral cowardice" to describe O'Keefe's decision to cancel the SM4 mission.

Meanwhile there was a camera crew from "60 Minuites" at today's Hubble event. Word has it that a 60 Minutes segment on Hubble will air on Sunday 14 March. Sean O'Keefe and John Grunsfeld will be featured. Word has it that an interview was to be shot with Bob Zubrin as well. According to a NASA Watch reader: "The 60 Minutes crew was also at Ball Aerospace. They were talking to people involved in the construction of the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and the Wide Field Camera 3, both of which were completed for SM4. They also shot some videotape of the instruments."

9 March 2004: NASA/ESA Hubble's Deepest View Ever of the Universe Unveils Earliest Galaxies

"Astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute today unveiled the deepest portrait of the visible universe ever achieved by humankind. Called the Hubble Ultra Deep Field (HUDF), the million-second-long exposure reveals the first galaxies to emerge from the so-called "dark ages," the time shortly after the big bang when the first stars reheated the cold, dark universe. The new image should offer new insights into what types of objects reheated the universe long ago."

Editor's note: speaking at the unveiling of the image, Sen. Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) said: "This is a stunning example of why the world loves Hubble - why I will continue to stand for Hubble. I will get the best minds to study the future of Hubble - for its future should not be decided by one man in a NASA back room - but by a transparent processs. I know a second opinion is due but I want you to know I will not stop there."

According to University of Arizona astronomer and NICMOS Principal Investigator Roger Thompson: "I am not sure why Sean O'Keefe made the decision this way. In his statement he said that he wanted the decision to fall on his shoulders alone. Most of the community would like to share that burden with him. We do not think this decision is final." Another source, requesting anonymity, said "we expect a Congressionally formed panel that will review O'Keefe's decision - why it was made in a closed way, and Gehman's letter as well. We expect that to be done in the next 30 days." Another source speaking anonymously said "We have only just begun to fight".

27 February 2004: An Open Letter and Request for Comments to the Mars Society Steering Committee

Editor's note: "I am doing research for an article on how the Mars Society views NASA's decision not to send a Shuttle Servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. As publicly identified members of the Mars Society's Steering Committee I would like to solicit your comments and thoughts regarding positions taken and statements made on behalf of the Mars Society by the Society's President Robert Zubrin and how they were arrived at."

Editor's update: It has been a week since I posted this. Only a few of the Steering Committee members have responded. Curiously, none of the 5 NASA civil servants listed as members of the Steering Committee have responded.

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3 March 2004: Resolution Introduced in the House of Representatives to Establish an Independent Panel to Review NASA's Decision Regarding the Hubble Space Telescope

3 March 2004: Rep. Mark Udall Intorduces Resolution to Save Hubble Space Telescope, House Science Committee, Democratic Membership

"Reps. Todd Akin (R-MO), Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD), Bart Gordon (D-TN), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Nick Lampson (D-TX), Jim McDermott (D-WA), and C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger (D-MD) joined Rep. Udall as original cosponsors."

3 March 2004: Remarks of Rep Mark Udall upon introduction of a Resolution Recognizing the Hubble Space Telescope's Accomplishments

"My goal in introducing this resolution is simple - I want to call attention to the Hubble Space Telescope's contributions to scientific research and education and ensure that any decision affecting its future is made carefully and seriously and for the right reasons. Precisely because of Hubble's extraordinary contributions in the past and promised contributions in the future, I also believe it is important that the decision to cancel the planned servicing mission to Hubble is considered by an independent panel of experts."

3 March 2004: Please Save Hubble! Letters to President Bush

"Two astronomers and a computer scientist have begun a letter writing campaign to save the Hubble Space Telescope. The website, http://savehubble.org hopes to demonstrate to President Bush and NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe that the public supports the Hubble Space Telescope and does not want it to end prematurely."

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29 February 2004: Premature Death for the Hubble, Anonymous OpEd, NY Times

"The real safety issue comes up if something goes wrong. A shuttle near the station might find safe haven and help in repairs. A shuttle near Hubble could not. Our guess is that with NASA on high alert after the Columbia tragedy, the next shuttle flights will be the safest ever. Astronauts are paid to take risks, and there would be no shortage of volunteers for a Hubble mission that seems no more risky than other flights and a lot more important scientifically."

Editor's note: It would seem that you have answered your own concerns - and the answer is hiding in plain sight in your OpEd: "A shuttle near the station might find safe haven and help in repairs. A shuttle near Hubble could not." Oh yes - NASA is not exactly abandoning the Hubble. Why is it that Shuttle missions are the only solution people are willing to contemplate? Tsk tsk. Such narrow thinking.

29 February 2004: Huntsville man's plan features a rescue tug, Huntsville Times

"... But Dennis Wingo, who runs Skycorp Inc. in Huntsville and is the chief technical officer of Orbital Recovery Corp., plans to send NASA managers information on how the Hubble could be saved, he said Thursday. "What we are proposing is to use a system that is powered by ion thrusters that would go and pick up the Hubble and then bring it back to the International Space Station orbit," Wingo said. "From there, NASA could service the Hubble with a shuttle or maybe from the space station."

21 February 2004: NASA Request for Information: Hubble Space Telescope End of Mission Alternatives, NASA GSFC

"The objective of this RFI is: 1) to invite industry to submit information that will allow NASA to assess various design alternatives while formulating its detailed requirements for the re-entry or orbit boost mission; 2) to invite alternative mission concepts by which NASA may more fully accomplish its goal of maximizing HST science productivity; e.g., life extension approaches and techniques, with or without robotic servicing (which might simultaneously further objectives of NASA's new Exploration initiative); 3) to improve NASA's knowledge of industry's capability; and 4) to improve the overall understanding of current HST de-orbit or orbit boost mission plans."

Hubble Space Telescope: End of Mission Alternatives Dataset, NASA GSFC

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21 February 2004: NASA Request for Information: Hubble Space Telescope End of Mission Alternatives, NASA GSFC

"The objective of this RFI is: 1) to invite industry to submit information that will allow NASA to assess various design alternatives while formulating its detailed requirements for the re-entry or orbit boost mission; 2) to invite alternative mission concepts by which NASA may more fully accomplish its goal of maximizing HST science productivity; e.g., life extension approaches and techniques, with or without robotic servicing (which might simultaneously further objectives of NASA's new Exploration initiative); 3) to improve NASA's knowledge of industry's capability; and 4) to improve the overall understanding of current HST de-orbit or orbit boost mission plans."

Hubble Space Telescope: End of Mission Alternatives Dataset, NASA GSFC

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18 February 2004: NASA Responds to Hubble Criticism, SpaceRef

Editor's note: "A number of editorials have appeared online in recent weeks regarding NASA's decision to not send a Shuttle mission to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Despite a number of replies NASA has sent in response to the OpEds, none of the letters seems to have been published online. Some of these replies are published below with links to the original opinion pieces."

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10 February 2004: Astronomy Community Disputes NASA's Hubble Plans, SpaceRef

"Not everyone is happy with NASA's decision to cancel a Space Shuttle mission to repair the Hubble Space Telescope."

10 February 2004: Nasa says 'no' to Hubble reprieve, BBC

"During a news conference, Weiller, along with Bill Readdy, head of space flight at Nasa, and John Grunsfeld, the agency's chief scientist, expressed regret at the expected end of the Hubble project."

Editor's note: Gee, I don't recall hearing David Whitehouse's name among the participants in the teleconference that I and other reporters participated in. Nor do I see his email address listed among all of those sent the formal notification for that event. Yet he quotes freely from what was said during that teleconference. Curious.

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9 February 2004: Reader's comments on Hubble SM4 Shuttle mission cancellation

"As a student who has dreamed of spaceflight for years, I'm in tears over the decision to abandon the Hubble to a slow death before its time. Astronauts and manned missions are flashy and exciting, but it's the beauty of the images that Hubble returns that ignites a true and long-lasting love affair with the stars.Without the Hubble images of M16 and M27 to remind me why I'm putting myself through the difficulty of studying astrophysics, I would not have made it to graduation."

- A heartbroken dreamer

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8 February 2004: Anonymous Documents Describe Shuttle Hubble Mission Risks, SpaceRef

Editor's note: Don't worry folks. I am not about to start revealing my sources after all these years. These two documents were all over the place before I ever got copies - and each of the several totally unrelated modes whereby I got copies all had the same 'wsmith' on them. No attempt was made to obscure where they came from. I have not revealed the sources that sent me these documents. Had the original author provided me these documents instead of tossing them to the wind - or had others not allowed versions that spent time on their computers to circulate - I would, of course, have kept the source anonymous.

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6 February 2004: Engineer's Papers Dispute Hubble Decision, NY Times

"NASA's decision to abandon its crown scientific jewel, the Hubble Space Telescope, cannot be justified on safety grounds, according to a pair of reports by a NASA engineer that have been circulating in scientific and political circles in the last few days."

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31 January 2004: Mikulski addresses Hubble's work force - Telescope's fate unknown as decision is reviewed, Baltimore Sun

"A longtime supporter of NASA, Mikulski said Hubble should be saved because of its scientific value, not just because it means hundreds of jobs at the institute on the Johns Hopkins University campus and at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt. She referred to the work force as a "genius club" and reminded them of Hubble's accomplishments."

31 January 2004: Scientists Clamor to Save Hubble, Wired

"What's happening is that a bunch of bureaucrats are wanting to feel decisive, to show they can make the tough calls to support the president's moon and Mars program. They'll say: 'Much as it might rend our hearts, we're willing to give this up.' That's all a crock," [Mars Society President Robert] Zubrin said. "If the first thing this new space policy does is murder Hubble, then it's born with the mark of Cain on it."

Editor's note: Gee, I can't think of a better way to make the people formulating space policy not want to listen to you or anyone from your organization, Bob. Keep it up.

"Space policy analyst John Pike of GlobalSecurity.org sees dark motivations behind the move. He argues that President Bush has made clear what will be abandoned in the short term, but has scheduled non-military missions like colonizing Mars far over the political horizon so that succeeding administrations can cancel them without controversy. "I think it is sort of symptomatic of this administration's orderly dismantling of the American space program," he said."

Editor's note: Yikes! This passage from John Pike borders on conspiracy mongering. It is also just plain goofy: how he can equate a move by President Bush to increase NASA's budget and create a new ability to send humans back to the Moon and the moon to Mars with the "orderly dismantling of the American space program" utterly escapes me.

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29 January 2004: Hubble may get reprieve, AP

"Adm. Hal Gehman, chairman of the board that investigated the Columbia shuttle breakup last year, will "review the (Hubble) matter and offer his unique perspective," NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said in a letter to Mikulski, who released a copy of the letter."

29 January 2004: Shuttle Investigator Will Review Hubble Decision, NY Times

"The head of the board that investigated the Columbia space shuttle disaster has agreed to examine NASA's decision to cancel any missions to extend the life of the Hubble Space Telescope, agency officials said on Thursday."

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26 January 2004: Hubble's End - or a New Beginning? SpaceRef

"Recently Sean O'Keefe decided not to proceed with the last scheduled Space Shuttle Servicing Mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. Yet, in this decision not to use the Shuttle to extend Hubble's life, is there not the seed of another approach?"

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22 January 2004: Servicing Mission 4 Cancelled, Space Telescope Science Institute

"[O'Keefe] said several times that money was not a factor in the decision, and it was not about safety alone. Clearly, both money and safety were considerations. My distillation of the reasoning boils down to the following logic:"

Visit SaveTheHubble.org to sign an online petition to Congress.

20 August 2003: Space Tug to NASA's Hubble Space Telescope's Rescue?, Orbital Recovery Corporation

"Orbital Recovery Corporation (ORC) is developing a Spacecraft Life Extension System or SLES for the life extension of GEO orbiting