Too bad the HIPPA regulations are in effect. I'd love to read some of your case studies.

I can tell the stories, I just can't attach names to them.

I've posted several here, but I keep losing them. I thought they were titled "Tales from the Nuthouse", but I tried searching and can't find it.

Space based telescopes are better than moon based ones.

And of course, it's entirely possible to do space launch for $10/kilo.

Hubble's replacement, the James Webb Space Telescope, is scheduled to be ready for 2011. It's not going to orbit the earth, it is going to instead be in a spot where it is 'trapped' between the earth and the sun- a Lagrange point. It is going to have a beryllium mirror 6 times larger than Hubble's. It is also going to be specialized for viewing in the infrared, which is something you just can't do on earth as the atmosphere blocks those wavelengths.


http://www.jwst.nasa.gov/FAQ/FAQ.htm

Sounds good but why is one million miles away better than an earth orbit? The chance that it will never require service is, imho, quite low - especially with a mirror that has to unfold after it arrives at the final point.

But if it works, the images will show things the Hubble in all its glory could only dream about!

Cool! I've got $20, and I'd like my digital camera sent into orbit on a timer setting, please...:D

i've heard of the lagrange points. but aren't lagrange points moving, since they are found between the gravitational forces of both earth and the Sun??? (the earth revolves around the sun)

TR - Try this out...


http://www.physics.montana.edu/facul.../lagrange.html

Home, home on lagrange
Where the stars and the planets all play ....

thanks for the info.

Found them. While looking for something else entirely.

Nut Story

The Webb needs to shield its infrared detectors from the glare of the earth, that why it needs the distance.

And it is designed not to be serviced, but this means it is not expected to last as long as the Hubble. :( We just have to hope it gets there and works, no chance to go up and fix it.

jd, really good website. BTW, it mentions the James Webb but calls it by its old name, the Next Generation Space Telescope.

that's kind of offset.

ex. {Las Vegas}(Son>hey, dad!, look I bought a new Ferrari!
Father> umh, cool. where are you going?
Son> to the desert. Im going to see the stars.
Father> do you have tools?
Son> no
Father> extra gas
Son> no
Father> Do you have money?
Son> no, Ive spended it on the car.
Father> And you are going to the desert?
Son> {chuckles dumbly} uh...Yeah, isn't great? Want to ride with me?
Father> may be later.
Son> oh well, you loose. see ya. {screeches out of view}