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DOD transferred two "obsolete" KH-11 spy satellites (which are pretty much evolved Hubbles) to NASA in 2012. They've been in storage since. So the scope for a "
by thaeli 8y ago
DOD transferred two "obsolete" KH-11 spy satellites (which are pretty much evolved Hubbles) to NASA in 2012. They've been in storage since. So the scope for a "new build Hubble" is putting instruments on those sats, launching them, and supporting the ongoing mission. That's still substantial, but much less than a new build from scratch.
- ISL 8y agoOne of them is, as far as I know, now dedicated to WFIRST: https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/02/18/nasa-moves-forward-with-mission-using-spy-satellite-telescope/ https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/02/18/nasa-moves-forward-wit...
- kevin_thibedeau 8y agoIt was just the mirrors. Earth observing telescopes aren't useful for deep space.