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Launch costs are a relatively small part of the cost of space telescopes. Pretty much always less than 10%, sometimes as low as 2% of the program's cost. The ex
by Rebelgecko 7y ago
Launch costs are a relatively small part of the cost of space telescopes. Pretty much always less than 10%, sometimes as low as 2% of the program's cost. The expensive part is building something that can run for years at a time with no maintenance. Things that are relatively easy on the ground (keeping some parts at cryogenic temperatures, having enough electricity) get significantly more complicated (and expensive) in space.
- jcims 7y agoBut if launch costs go from $400M to $4M maybe it's ok to put stuff up with dramatically shortened mission expectations. What really needs to happen is the ability to build mirrors in LEO so they don't have to be built to survive the launch.
- SiempreViernes 7y agoSaving 8% of the total budget will not make it easier to make reliable cooling systems, nor easer to get the remaining 80% of needed funds.