AIP FYI# 40: New AAS Statement on Hubble Telescope Servicing
FYI
The American Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News
Number 40: March 29, 2005
New AAS Statement on Hubble Telescope Servicing
The American Astronomical Society (AAS), a Member Society of the
American Institute of Physics, has issued a statement expressing
“considerable disappointment” in NASA’s decision not to service the
Hubble Space Telescope (HST). The March 9 statement praises the
past accomplishments of the Hubble and its future potential.
However, it also cautions that, “should a HST servicing mission have
adverse budget consequences” to other space science programs, then
NASA should seek the views of the space science communities on the
relative merits of servicing the Hubble versus other projects.
As discussed at a February 2 House Science Committee hearing (see
http://www.aip.org/fyi/2005/024.html), the costs of a Hubble
servicing mission could have a significant impact on other current
and planned NASA science missions. The astronomy and astrophysics
community is noted for its process of developing decadal reports
that prioritize projects within the community. The most recent
decadal survey (Astronomy and Astrophysics in the New Millennium,
see http://www.aip.org/fyi/2000/fyi00.062.htm), based on the
assumption that the originally-planned SM-4 shuttle mission to
upgrade the Hubble would take place, was prepared prior to the
Columbia shuttle tragedy. Several witnesses at the hearing
indicated that the prioritization should be reevaluated to take into
consideration the current Hubble situation.
“I am personally very disappointed with NASA’s current plan not to
service HST,” said AAS President Robert Kirshner in a press release
accompanying the statement. “You can be sure we will work with them
to help realize the goals of astronomers as carefully worked out
through our decade plan. We know that NASA is committed to doing
the world’s best astronomy and servicing Hubble with the Shuttle is
part of the best program.”
The text of the March 9 AAS statement follows:
“AAS Statement on Hubble Space Telescope Servicing
“The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has been the crown jewel in NASA’s
science programs for over a decade. Its accomplishments have
revolutionized our understanding of the universe in which we live,
and it has inspired a new generation of students and the public at
large with its discoveries. This remarkable performance can be
expected to continue if HST is serviced. NASA’s recently announced
decision to forego any option to service the HST is therefore viewed
with considerable disappointment by the American Astronomical
Society and the astronomical community. While we recognize that
HST’s mission must end at some time, the fact that a servicing
mission was a part of NASA’s planned activity, and that two key
replacement science instruments are already developed to enable
important and exciting new science, makes this decision particularly
unfortunate and difficult to accept.
“Much of the success of NASA’s space science program is due to
strong community involvement in planning and setting priorities
based upon scientific merit and relevance to a coherent science
program. Therefore, the AAS strongly concurs with the view
advocated by the recently released report of the NRC Committee to
Assess Progress Toward the Decadal Vision in Astronomy and
Astrophysics. Specifically, that NASA should continue with the
missions and programs as prioritized in the NRC report ‘Astronomy
and Astrophysics in the New Millennium.’ In particular, should a
HST servicing mission have adverse budget consequences, the AAS
urges NASA to include the space science communities in an assessment
of the relative scientific merits of all impacted missions, in line
with the decadal survey process.
“Finally, the AAS notes that HST is a component of a dynamic,
exciting, and evolving set of astronomy and space science missions.
We applaud NASA’s continuing commitment to maintaining a
‘world-class astronomy program,’ as expressed in Acting
Administrator Gregory’s testimony on February 17, 2005 to the House
Science Committee. This commitment is an essential element of the
Vision for Space Exploration, and the AAS stands ready to work with
NASA to assure that strong programs in space science continue as
NASA implements the Vision.”
The full text of AAS’s March 9 statement and related press release
can be found at http://www.aas.org/policy/PR/2005/hstservicing2.html .
This latest statement follows a January 18 statement in which AAS
supported the conclusion of a National Research Council panel that
NASA should pursue a shuttle servicing mission to the Hubble (see
http://www.aip.org/fyi/2005/008.html).
Audrey T. Leath
Media and Government Relations Division
The American Institute of Physics
fyi@aip.org
www.aip.org/gov
(301) 209-3094
