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General Discussion => Science & Nature => Topic started by: sam on January 05, 2011, 14:21

Title: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: sam on January 05, 2011, 14:21

Quote

NASA doesn’t have nearly enough money to do what it wants to do. Well, nothing unusual about that. We’ve talked recently about the constraints that budgetary realities are putting on astronomers’ ambitions — here, here, here. Now it’s chickens-coming-home-to-roost time, apparently. Dennis Overbye has an article in the Times (via Brian Schmidt) about how cost overruns on the James Webb Space Telescope — the giant multipurpose infrared satellite into which basket NASA is putting many of its eggs — are forcing dark energy onto the back burner.

http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/cosmicvariance/2011/01/03/trouble-for-dark-energy-space-mission/

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Clive on January 05, 2011, 15:46

I don't have a problem with joint missions and I don't know what the Americans are so worried about.  Hubble and ISS have both been successful so why not a dark energy probe?  I'd love to know the results before I die but to wait another decade may be pushing it.   :laugh:  The delays and overspend on the James Webb Telescope have been a disaster for NASA. 

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: sam on January 05, 2011, 16:00

a massive disaster, especially given the marvellous results from the much more technologically superior ground based instruments

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Clive on January 05, 2011, 16:50

Yes, especially with the Overwhelmingly Large Telescope (OWL) weighing in at 100 metres! Drat!  It's been cancelled!!  :bawl:

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: sam on January 05, 2011, 20:50

E-ELT will still go ahead. Its high on the STFC list with SKA I believe.

For those of you who don't know that's European Extremely Large Telescope.

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Clive on January 05, 2011, 21:46

Tut!  That's only 42 metres.  I have larger in my garden shed.   :crazy:  That's still 8 years away but I might be able to hold out.   :laugh:

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Simon on January 05, 2011, 22:00

Quote from: Clive on January 05, 2011, 21:46

Tut!  That's only 42 metres.  I have larger in my garden shed.   :crazy:  That's still 8 years away but I might be able to hold out.   :laugh:

That's some neighbourhood watch!  ;D

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Clive on January 05, 2011, 23:27

 :devil:

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Rik on January 06, 2011, 10:19

Is that 8 years walking or by car, Clive?

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Clive on January 06, 2011, 15:17

I wouldn't trust my Dagenham Dustbin to take me to the end of the street Rik.   >:(

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Rik on January 06, 2011, 15:31

Go for a BMW. I still wouldn't trust it, but it impresses some people Clive. ;D

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Clive on January 06, 2011, 15:38

My other car does that Rik.   :laugh:

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Rik on January 06, 2011, 15:39

 ;D

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Simon on January 06, 2011, 17:50

Quote from: Rik on January 06, 2011, 15:31

Go for a BMW. I still wouldn't trust it, but it impresses some people Clive. ;D

I wouldn't have one of those.  Damned uncomfortable, and driven by pillocks!

Title: Re: Trouble for Dark Energy Space Mission?
Post by: Rik on January 06, 2011, 17:53

I'll second that.