Comments on: Why I’m watching the Hubble repairs so intently

By: Hubble. Is. Back! | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

Hubble. Is. Back! | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:50:29 +0000

[...] image is from the Space Telescope Imagine Spectroscope, a camera I worked on for more than six years. I helped calibrate and test STIS as it was built, and I watched as it roared into space aboard [...]

By: More incredible Hubble pictures | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine

More incredible Hubble pictures | Bad Astronomy | Discover Magazine — Thu, 21 May 2009 20:30:38 +0000

[...] comes this one at Geenstijl. These are gorgeous shots. My only complaint? There are only two pix of STIS; one is fuzzy and the other is blocked by the astronauts! Oh [...]

By: Harbles

Harbles — Tue, 19 May 2009 00:42:43 +0000

Flawed optics … Ball aerospace … NSA … keyhole 14 …. yada …

I haz tinfoil hat. It not helpin.

By: Lewknukem

Lewknukem — Mon, 18 May 2009 20:10:19 +0000

I’ve seen reports that this upgrade will make Hubble 90 times more powerful than when it was first launched. However, I am sure that this takes into account the fact that there were flawed optics in the first one, so how much more powerful is the Hubble going to be than Hubble was planned on being originally? And more specifically, how is that figure even calculated in the first place since there are multiple pieces like different cameras, improved optics, processing, etc?

By: Harbles

Harbles — Mon, 18 May 2009 18:53:12 +0000

The ultimate space geek field day (week)! A renewed observatory that can make many more discoveries for years to come. Hopefully it will still be operational when Webb comes on line.
The utility of man in space was shown in full glory. Bust it off! I’d like to see a robot do that! lol

Sadly right at the end an antenna got booted and now needs to have a cover installed to protect it thermally. The astronaut feels really badly from his repeated apologies to all. I really feel for him as we’ve all had those Doh! moments.

By: Matt T

Matt T — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:59:12 +0000

To those questioning Dr P’s avoidance of “good luck”, obviously I can’t read the BA’s mind (scary thought), but I think I know where he’s coming from here: putting the emphasis on the skills of those involved. I don’t think it’s really about “being a skeptic” or anything, just giving credit where it’s due and affirming your faith (haha) in someone. I would often say something similar to students taking me exams, something like “I would say ‘good luck’ but I know you don’t need luck”.

By: MadScientist

MadScientist — Mon, 18 May 2009 13:38:35 +0000

“I know that science and engineering and thousands of hours of training trump superstition”

Yep – don’t underestimate the training. Once upon a time when I had pet students I’d make them disassemble, pack away, set up, adjust, test, pack away, etc. in preparation for a field campaign. They’d be moaning and whining before the second day was through and I’d remind them they had another two weeks of practice yet. However, out in the field my slaves get things up and running in a matter of minutes (or hours, depending on exactly what we’re up to) while other groups who aren’t as anal about this stuff as I am can easily waste an entire week setting up and tracking faults. Now the astronauts train for months and years for these service missions – they can’t hang around indefinitely and even a small mistake can turn the entire bird into another piece of space junk.