Chuck Hards wrote:
Does anyone know if a launch vehicle has been selected for the James Webb space telescope? (NGST) Last I heard, it was still a toss-up between 2 or 3 different disposable vehicles, and a modified shuttle....thinking here that the loss of Columbia will probably affect that decision.
Patrick, what do your NASA connections say?
I don't have any contacts at NGST. However, I did have a look at their web site. It's not been updated post-accident however, question 13 of the FAQ ( http://ngst.gsfc.nasa.gov:80/FAQ/FAQ.htm ) addresses the question pre-accident.
Will the NGST be delayed because of the shuttle loss? A contact at KSC sends me something called "Spacecraft and Expendable Vehicles Status Report" every couple of days. Looking at today's issue, it looks like all of the non-shuttle related launch dates remain unchanged.
And a related question: Will one of the remaining shuttles be risked to return the Hubble to earth when it's mission is terminated? I had read of the possibility of it going on-display in the National Air & Space Museum. Pre-accident, that was the plan. And I, for one, look forward to seeing it on display one day.
Obviously I can't speak for NASA but everything I've seen coming out of NASA post-accident indicates the plan is to get STS flying again ASAP. I've seen no mention of any changes to previoulsy planned shuttle activities.