[extropy-chat] Saving the Hubble- ownership of junk

[Extropian Agroforestry Ventures Inc.]

If it is declared space junk and destined for disposal does it not  then
become a piece of junk without ownership rights.  If China or another
country sends up a resue mission would they then not own the spoils of
sych a  salvage operation?

...Morris



"Robert J. Bradbury" wrote:

> Larry Klaes posted an interesting thought on the Europa list.
>
> His idea was rather than to bring down the Hubble (at a cost
> of $300M) to give it to the Chinese.  I'd expand on that
> idea -- what about the Europeans, Russia, China or Japan?
>
> If part of the problem is orbital decay -- then one could
> focus in the short term on a ship (robotic if necessary)
> to boost its orbit (both the Soyuz and Progress have boost
> capability and the Russians have a good mastery for robotic
> docking).  Then they could figure out how to use
> some space walks to do things like replace the gyroscopes
> and instruments.  Russian and Chinese astronauts would
> certainly jump at the opportunity to pick up a $1+B piece
> of in-orbit hardware real cheap.  Perhaps a mini-Canada robotic
> arm or two could be developed to assist with maintenance.
> Yes, I know the Hubble was designed with servicing in the
> Shuttle Bay in mind *but* that doesn't mean that in-space
> servicing is impossible.  Probably very little thought has
> been devoted to the idea.
>
> If you are going to turn the ISS over to foreign partners
> why not do it with the Hubble as well?  I'm sure NASA wouldn't
> mind saving the $300M deorbiting expense.
>
> If the Soyuz doesn't have the lift capacity, then send an
> Ariane 5 up with a European cargo module containing the gyroscopes,
> new instruments, etc. and a Soyuz with the astronauts to do the
> maintenance.
>
> The only question in my mind is whether the Ariane 5
> or the Soyuz (perhaps launched from Kourou) can reach
> the orbit the Hubble is in?  Anyone know?
>
> Robert
>
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