There was much talk of this pending decision at the AAS meeting last week, with most people hoping that the preliminary indications they were receiving weren't true. But, alas it is. I am heartsick at this move and will forever link the name of George Bush to the death of one of the most productive telescopes ever produced. This shouldn't have to be a choice between Bush Rogers-style cowboy rides to Mars and trashing a telescope we've already spent a great deal of money on and gotten to to a productive state.
AS much as I want missions to Mars and the Moon, I also recognize the efficacy of NOT throwing babies out with the bathwater. At least the public should be made fully aware of the science sacrifice the community is being forced to make. And, when all is said and done and the war consumes more of our expenses, and Mars missions are cut, and JWST is scaled back or cancelled, the US and the world science community will have lost immeasurably, just so some frickin' cowboy could have his war AND his space wet dream...
Sorry... I'm just immeasurably sick over this, and not just because I wrote the book about HST. It's a huge loss...
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