Hubble Space Telescope: Repair or Replace (1993)
by Anonymous
After Hubble launched with a flawed mirror, NASA had to decide between an expensive space shuttle repair mission or building a replacement. The daring repair mission succeeded and Hubble became the most productive scientific instrument ever.
Repair in Orbit (STS-61)
1993
year
~$700 million for repair mission
cost
Complex spacewalks, never done at this scale
risk
Chosen — fixed, Hubble operated for 30+ years
outcome
Build Replacement Telescope
1993
year
Billions, years of delay
cost
Low technical risk, high political risk
risk
Not chosen — too slow and expensive
outcome
Abandon Hubble
1993
year
None additional
cost
Massive PR disaster for NASA
risk
Not chosen — would have ended public support for space science
outcome
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