(Washington, D.C.) -- The National Academies this afternoon released a final report from the committee that reviewed options for extending the life of the Hubble Space Telescope. The committee was established by the NASA Administrator in response to Congressional concerns over his January 2004 announcement that NASA would undertake no further servicing of Hubble. It was asked to assess the viability of a Shuttle-based servicing mission to Hubble; survey other available options, including a robotic servicing mission; and provide a benefit-risk assessment of whether either type of servicing mission is worth the risks involved. Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO), who is a member of the House Science Committee’s Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, released the following statement in reaction to the final report:
“I am very pleased with the final report of the National Research Council’s Committee on the Assessment of Options for Extending the Life of the Hubble Space Telescope. The Committee calls the Hubble ‘the most powerful astronomical facility ever built,’ and recommends that NASA commit to a servicing mission to Hubble, one that would accomplish the objectives planned for the original mission, including the installation of the two new instruments.
“The Committee also recommends that a shuttle mission be pursued – not a robotic mission – to extend Hubble’s life. Given the complexity of the robotic technology that would have to be developed, along with other factors, the chances of developing a robotic servicing mission within the baseline 39-month schedule are unlikely.
“I’m glad that NASA hasn’t yet put all of its weight behind a robotic mission; it seems now that a shuttle mission might be the wiser course. But robotics technology will be necessary in order to build a de-orbit module for use at the end of Hubble’s life, so I believe we should continue to support NASA’s ongoing robotics work.
“I’m looking forward to hearing NASA’s impressions of the Academies’ recommendations. I hope that NASA will consider launching a shuttle servicing mission as soon as possible after return to flight. It is clear that there is strong support in Congress for Hubble, since the recently passed omnibus spending bill provided $300 million for a repair mission. I will work with my colleagues in the 109th Congress to encourage the NASA Administrator to comply with the Committee’s recommendations and commit to saving Hubble.”