posted 05-28-2004 10:20 AM               

Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas, has joined the campaign to save the Hubble Space Telescope, siding with 26 former astronauts who want NASA to reinstate a manned shuttle mission that could fix and salvage the aging scientific eye.

In a letter sent to the White House on Thursday, Hutchison urged President Bush to reconsider plans to retire Hubble, saying it has "not yet outlived its scientific usefulness" and that NASA has nothing comparable to succeed it.

She attached to the letter a petition signed by 26 former astronauts, including Apollo veteran Walter Cunningham of Houston, Mercury's Scott Carpenter and Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon.

posted 05-29-2004 09:20 AM               

• Loren Acton, STS 51F
  
• Scott Carpenter, Mercury Aurora Seven
  
• Gerald Carr, Skylab 4
  
• Bob Cenker, STS 61C
  
• Gene Cernan, Gemini 9, Apollo 10, Apollo 17
  
• Bob Crippen, STS-1, STS-7, STS-41C, STS-41G
  
• Walter Cunningham, Apollo 7
  
• Charles Duke, Apollo 16
  
• John Fabian, STS-7, STS-51G
  
• Owen Garriott, Skylab-3, STS-9
  
• Ed Gibson, Skylab 4
  
• Richard Gordon, Gemini 11, Apollo 12
  
• Susan (Still) Kilrain, STS-83, STS-94
  
• Kevin Kregel, STS-70, STS-78, STS-87, STS-99
  
• Byron Lichtenberg STS-9, STS-45
  
• Jack Lousma, Skylab 3, STS-3
  
• Jon McBride, STS-41G
  
• Carl Meade, STS-38, STS-50, STS-64
  
• Mike Mullane, STS-41D, STS-27, STS-36
  
• Donald Peterson, STS-6
  
• Mario Runco, STS-44, STS-54, STS-77
  
• Russell Schweickart, Apollo 9
  
• Richard Searfoss, STS-58, STS-76, STS-90
  
• Woody Spring, STS-61B
  
• James van Hoften, STS-41C, STS-51I
  
• Al Worden, Apollo 15

posted 06-18-2004 06:42 PM               

June 16, 2004

The Honorable Kay Bailey Hutchison
United States Senate
284 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Senator Hutchison:

Two weeks ago I consented to have my name affixed to a letter addressed to you expressing concern over the future of the Hubble telescope. I did so without participating as an author and without seeing a copy of the letter beforehand - regrettably breaking my own longstanding rules concerning the endorsement of someone else's agenda. In addition, I had no idea that the subject letter was headed for The President's desk - I just assumed it was meant to get Sean O'Keefe's attention. Nor was I aware at that time of both the technical and political ramifications that manned Hubble servicing might have on the return of the shuttle to flight - both expeditiously and safely. In the past ten days, I have spent considerable time exploring the impact that manned Hubble servicing requirements can have on the near term future of the shuttle and as a result am far more aware of the challenges involved in meeting the requirements placed upon certifying the shuttle for its return to space. 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.

With this letter I hope to correct a "knee-jerk reaction" to a request for my support for an issue that may have merit, but under the current environment, is certainly in need of further study.

Thank you, Senator Hutchison, for the leadership role you play in Washington. I look forward to our next visit.

Sincerely,

Eugene A. Cernan

posted 06-18-2004 07:34 PM               

Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford USAF (Ret.)
Co-chairman Stafford/Covey Return to Flight Task Group
1006 Cameron Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

June 7, 2004

Dear Senator Hutchinson:

I am writing in response to your May 26, 2004, letter to President Bush asking that the Hubble Space Telescope manned repair mission be reinstated to NASA's flight manifest.

As chairman of the first Hubble Space Telescope (HST) servicing mission review, and as co-chairman of the Return to Flight Task Group charged with reporting on NASA's actions to meet the recommendations of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) I understand the technical and operational challenges of servicing the HST as well as the constraints under which the Shuttle Program is operating.

We all agree that the HST is a marvelous scientific instrument, and it is my hope that its operational lifetime can be extended. This can indeed be accomplished via an unmanned robotic mission instead of with a manned Space Shuttle.

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.

I appreciate the contributions and service you have given our country. Please fell free to contact me on this matter if I may be of assistance.

Sincerely

Lt. General Thomas P. Stafford, USAF (ret.)
Gemini VI
Gemini IX
Apollo 10
Apollo-Soyuz Test Project

posted 08-24-2004 10:28 AM               

NASA is becoming increasingly optimistic that the failing Hubble Space Telescope can be revived and rejuvenated at the hands of a robot rescuer.

Scientists and engineers, working on ways to extend the life of one of astronomy's most valuable tools, say early studies indicate they have a good shot at developing a robotic spacecraft that can take the place of spacewalking astronauts in repairing and upgrading Hubble. And even some scientists who at first doubted that a robot could do the job are becoming less skeptical.

posted 01-21-2005 01:59 PM               

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.

NASA is debating when and how to announce the change of plans. Sources told Space News that outgoing NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe likely will make the announcement Feb. 7 during the public presentation of the U.S. space agency's 2006 budget request.

posted 01-22-2005 06:42 AM            

Where is that hardware? At KSC? At manufacturers? Still on drawing board?

posted 01-24-2005 12:54 PM               

So, any predictions from the cS crowd:

posted 01-24-2005 02:04 PM               

January 23, 2005

Dear SaveTheHubble.org Petitioner,

Reuters reported on Sunday that on February 7th the Bush administration will announce a proposal to cut Hubble's funding, thereby ending any opportunity for a servicing mission to fix the telescope. If Hubble is to be saved, we must act now to raise awareness.

With over 40,000 signers of our petition to date, an average contribution of just $10 can make a big difference. All of the money will go toward a media campaign to publicize Hubble's fate and to force the Bush administration to acknowledge that if the Space Shuttle is safe enough for many missions over the next decade to construct the Space Station, it is safe enough for one mission to service Hubble.

Please click here https://www.slooh.com/savethehubble/contribute.jsp to make a contribution today so we can prepare to make a public argument in response to the budgetary announcement that will be made on February 7th. We must raise a minimum of $100,000 if we are to make any kind of impact.

I welcome any ideas in support of this cause - please do not hesitate to contact me directly at mike@slooh.com.

Best regards,

Michael Paolucci
www.savethehubble.org
www.slooh.com

posted 04-29-2005 10:29 AM               

NASA has resumed work on a mission to send the space shuttle to service the Hubble Space Telescope although the agency has yet to decide for sure whether to fly the mission, Administrator Michael Griffin said this morning.

Workers at the Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland are starting the preparation work to revive a mission to repair and extend the life of the history-making telescope, which engineers say would work only a few more years without being serviced.

posted 11-20-2005 02:49 AM            

Included is $270 million more for a servicing mission to the Hubble Space Telescope. However, it still has to be reviewed by Mike Griffin, NASA Administrator.