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CRASH HUBBLE!?!!? ARE THEY INSANE?!?! That thing is like an icon of inspiration to people and it got me into space and the universe and how insignificant we all are. Anyway back on topic, they shouldn't crash it just leave it up there to rot (no one will know until something crashes into it) but if they bring it down they will lose alot of popularity. Hubble really is amazing even if it is outdated
Crash The Hubble Space Telescope?
MultiQuote
#17
Cspace 
- Previously Cspace
-
- Group: Administrator
- Posts: 9,756
- Joined: 03-August 02
- Location:England
Posted 22 February 2005 - 01:29 AM
Lol, everyone seems to think Hubble is outdated. Perhaps I'll say a few things to put it into perspective. 
Servicing Missions (brief outline):
First (1993): Main goal was to repair the optics which weren't quite right when it was initially sent up, however other instruments and improvements were added. Some of these include the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), improved solar arrays, and improved gyroscopes for tracking.
Second (1997): Installed the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) to view infrared wavelengths. Also installed the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) which was intended to take more detailed images of celestial objects and possibly to assist in the hunt for black holes. Other systems were also installed such as an improved Fine Guidance Sensor and a solid state recorder.
3A (1999): Replaced worn and outdated equipment as well as performed many maintenance upgrades.
3B (2002): Installed the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), which greatly enhanced its imaging technoloy and made it practically modern to the day. It greatly increased the image quality, the field of view was doubled, and it can collect data ten times more quickly than before. A number of other maintenance upgrades, such as another solar array upgrade, were installed. The infrared detector also had its cooling replaced.
Hubble's main optics now practically date back to 2002, it is by no means the same telescope as when it was launched.
I don't see how a telescope which is capable of viewing objects 13 billion light years away and can even view nebulae and similar objects in other galaxies is so old. Maybe someone will tell me.
Many of NASA's projects, as amazing as they may be, have a basis in "outdated" technology. Instruments developed today are likely to be in spacecraft launched 15 years from now. The public needs to differentiate age from effectiveness and impact, for the most amazing discoveries are often made with "old" spacecraft and technology when one just looks at the surface.
So to close my post, I'll say that Hubble isn't old until something else is built which surpasses it. Until then, bringing it down will be a big step backward. Regardless of when it was initially built, it is still easily the most advanced telescope we have right now.
Servicing Missions (brief outline):
First (1993): Main goal was to repair the optics which weren't quite right when it was initially sent up, however other instruments and improvements were added. Some of these include the Wide Field and Planetary Camera 2 (WFPC2), improved solar arrays, and improved gyroscopes for tracking.
Second (1997): Installed the Near Infrared Camera and Multi-Object Spectrometer (NICMOS) to view infrared wavelengths. Also installed the Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) which was intended to take more detailed images of celestial objects and possibly to assist in the hunt for black holes. Other systems were also installed such as an improved Fine Guidance Sensor and a solid state recorder.
3A (1999): Replaced worn and outdated equipment as well as performed many maintenance upgrades.
3B (2002): Installed the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS), which greatly enhanced its imaging technoloy and made it practically modern to the day. It greatly increased the image quality, the field of view was doubled, and it can collect data ten times more quickly than before. A number of other maintenance upgrades, such as another solar array upgrade, were installed. The infrared detector also had its cooling replaced.
Hubble's main optics now practically date back to 2002, it is by no means the same telescope as when it was launched.
I don't see how a telescope which is capable of viewing objects 13 billion light years away and can even view nebulae and similar objects in other galaxies is so old. Maybe someone will tell me.
Many of NASA's projects, as amazing as they may be, have a basis in "outdated" technology. Instruments developed today are likely to be in spacecraft launched 15 years from now. The public needs to differentiate age from effectiveness and impact, for the most amazing discoveries are often made with "old" spacecraft and technology when one just looks at the surface.
So to close my post, I'll say that Hubble isn't old until something else is built which surpasses it. Until then, bringing it down will be a big step backward. Regardless of when it was initially built, it is still easily the most advanced telescope we have right now.
