Michael Griffin favors review of Hubble Telescope fate

Bush administration recently nominated Michael Griffin as their choice of candidate for the top job in the NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). NASA on the other hand had expressed a desire to let the Hubble Space Telescope die due to lack of funds provided by the government. However, there is somewhat of a twist in the story here.

Michael Griffin has expressed views that he is in favor of the review of this decision to let Hubble disintegrate. And if he comes to the NASA as its head, he would be going in for a review of the decision. He also said that he is in favor of having the telescope fixed by the Astronauts sent through a Shuttle mission.

He was addressing a meeting with the Senate and referred to the upcoming Space Shuttle mission back into the space. His view is that now the Shuttle is ready for a re-launch, NASA should think again, about the Hubble’s reconditioning. He said: “The decision not to execute the planned shuttle servicing mission was made in the immediate aftermath of the loss of the Columbia. When we return to flight, it will be with essentially a new vehicle, which will have a new risk analysis associated with it. At that time I think we should reassess the earlier decision in light of what we learn after we return to flight.”

The mission was earlier rejected by the old NASA head Sean O’Keefe who said that the mission was too risky especially after the Columbia disaster. Hubble in its current condition would likely to lose its ability to support its mission in 3-4 years if major fixes are not done on its steadying gyroscopes and aging batteries.

Popularity: 1%