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When I read the title, I did not interpret "worth billions" as referring to the cost of producing them. I took it as its potential value to current science. In
by lake99 12y ago
When I read the title, I did not interpret "worth billions" as referring to the cost of producing them. I took it as its potential value to current science. In fact, the blurb below the title says, "pushing back the modern satellite record of sea ice extent by 17 years". This, indeed, may be worth billions to us now. Imagine having to deduce that data by other means available to us now.
- mtdewcmu 12y agoIn order to price something, you have to find a buyer who is willing to put up the money. Only the US government could pay billions for it, and, in fact, they already did -- back in the 60s. The price it could fetch now is utterly irrelevant -- it's one of a kind and has no replacement value, because it's irreplaceable. Luckily the government didn't throw it away.