Is It Time to End the Hubble Mission?
The Hubble Space Telescope was a spectacular achievement 15 years ago when it was put into orbit. Using the orbiting telescope, we’ve been able to look further and study more than we ever could before. Now, though, there’s a debate going on about whether Hubble should be kept in service or allowed to de-orbit and go out of service. I’m a fan of the Hubble, but I think its time is passing, and that it may just be time to end its mission.
When the Hubble Space Telescope was envisioned, it was an answer to a serious problem for astronomers. There was a need to build a better quality telescope than was available on Earth, using the technology of the day. Atmospheric conditions caused problems with detailed imagery, so the obvious answer was to put a telescope above the atmosphere to solve the problem. After the Hubble was launched, and a new lens was installed, we began to see images like we had never seen before. The mission was a fantastic success.
Things are changing in astronomy. New telescopes are coming online, or are in development, that can rival Hubble in image quality. Methods have been designed to overcome the atmospheric limitations of terrestrial telescopes. At the same time, Hubble is requiring more maintenance and attention as it ages. We are at an impasse, where we must ask ourselves whether the need to keep Hubble in operation is out of scientific need or merely affection.
I admit to affection. Hubble is one cool piece of technology. I’d just as soon it stay in orbit forever, doing the job it was meant to do. In scientific terms, however, I have to wonder if it isn’t time to start bringing its mission to an end. With respect to Tyler Cowen, I think the Hubble mission should be finished.
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Your point about improved technology over the last 15 years is well taken. Given those improvements, and given the massive investment in such a vehicle, would it make financial sense to bring the thing back to earth for examination refurb, I wonder?