http://www.physorg.com/news81513442.html

Finally, the go-ahead with the much waited SHuttle repair mission, although sooner than 2008 would be better.

Now, designing a Hubble II should be in the works.

Chicago Astronomer Joe
Administrator
www.chicagoastronomer.com

Dont hold your breath.. this is NASA your talking about.. sorry, how many years has there been a wait for just a drawing board replacement for the current shuttle fleet?

So So vera true Archer. They aren't even addressing the Gyro situation on the ISS, at the same time even International Agencies are cutting back on other programs because of the extra costs of this Hubble Mission, see; Announcements on SIM .

Here I will quote the passages as they are buried very well in the announcement as most things usually are;

"With significantly under-estimated costs for the James Webb Space Telescope, additional costs for the next Hubble Servicing Mission and continuation of the SOFIA program, we decided the best course was to turn the Space Interferometry Mission and Terrestrial Planet-Finding missions into technology development efforts for the time being. That carefully-considered decision was based in part on the fact that the SOFIA mission is more highly ranked in the National Academy of Sciences decadal survey for astronomy missions than the SIM mission. "

I do think the vast majority of these "under-estimated" costs are due to errors made by NASA, and it's contractors..

The Hubble has been nothing less than a stunning achievement in what we have learned due to its abilities, to not keep it flying would make me wonder why are we even spending all this money with NASA for space "exploration".. the ISS has produced what (other than HUGE BILLS, and a unique hotel that Russia likes to rent)? when compared to what the Hubble as provided us with.. actually, has the ISS produced anything other than proof of mismanagement at NASA?

Well I was relating space research and space research, agree however as far as any public releases are concerned the Hubble has inspired the mind of humanity perhaps more than anything done by NASA. The ISS has potential in "potential" manufacturing, microgravity, nanotech, basic science, physics and so forth, but you are right about the incredible mismanagement, to the point I fear the potential of a catastrophe, even using the Shuttle for anything seems a gamble as well, but some is due to underfunding from the start. As mentioned; budget wise, space vs space, and yet the same game isn't played in other funded parts of govts. Example; A president gets a raise, but congress persons do not take cuts to even out the budget.

I'm amazed that politicians aren't responding more to the polls on space research having favorable ratings, budget wise. These fake trips to the Moon and Mars are not being bought by anyone, it's seen as smoke and mirrors. To recite a popular refrain; "Show me the money". Hubble II does sound great , and so much more is possible...Alas...