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Projects: Save Voyager and HubbleA Letter From the Executive DirectorDear Members and Supporters, Two of humankind’s greatest space achievements -- two of the greatest scientific endeavors of all time, the twin Voyager deep space probes and the Hubble Space Telescope -- are under attack. In an incredibly misguided decision, Voyager is facing imminent shutdown, while Hubble is being prematurely threatened with destruction. With swift action, we can save these treasures...but to do it, we need help from you and from every Society Member. Consider the Voyager probes. After three long decades of travel, passing Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, Voyager 1 has just now reached the heliosheath -- the very outer edge of our solar system -- with Voyager 2 close behind. Shutting the program down at this moment is pure folly, the worst kind of false economy: it will save a pittance...but irretrievably lose us the opportunity of a lifetime. As for Hubble, there are deep and legitimate questions about the cost and safety -- even the feasibility -- of how to mount a necessary service trip. Nonetheless, there is no reason to give up yet: the observatory should work for another two years or more before it must be serviced...so no decision needs to be made yet! As with Voyager, so too here, this “rush to judgment” is purely false economy, one that will close our options off prematurely. Fortunately, these decisions can still be reversed. But -- with the U.S. Congress preparing its final action on next year’s budget right now -- our window of opportunity will close soon. Voyager and Hubble are world assets, so this is a global effort. That’s why we need Society Members from all over the world to take action -- now -- to convince those responsible to preserve these crucial projects. Specifically, I’m urging you to take two vital steps to join the battle and make a difference: ONE: Sign our petition. Our goal right now is simple: we must convince the U.S. Congress to make sure the annual budget provides the funding necessary for both the Voyager and Hubble missions. Launched in 1977, the Voyager 1 spacecraft is now more distant than any other human artifact. Voyager 1 is twice as far away from the Sun as Pluto, just crossing the boundary to interstellar space. We will not get another chance to explore so far from home for, literally, generations. Now the probes are watching as the solar wind encounters the interstellar medium, sensing this unknown substance for the first time. True to form, they are reliably broadcasting their findings to us...and will continue doing so until some time around 2020, when their nuclear power sources finally die. Despite all of this, NASA Administration accountants have imposed the death penalty on Voyager...all to save a little -- literally, just a little -- money from NASA’s multi-billion dollar budget. As for Hubble...for most people, the argument for keeping it in operation is obvious: no space mission has produced such spectacular and publicly accessible findings. In reality, the issue is a complex one. Hubble’s benefits have been enormous...but the costs of a service mission will be enormous, too, and there are legitimate concerns about the risk. The problem is, no one seems to have even considered Hubble’s benefits when they decided to toss it into oblivion. In fact, NASA failed to even consult the scientific community before the decision was announced. It was a cavalier and dismissive decision...one that was made despite the fact that Hubble has been described as “the most successful scientific instrument ever built” and the most scientifically productive space mission in history. To be sure, our ability to service Hubble in time is far from certain. To do so will require a costly shuttle flight which, by current measure, is considered unsafe. But -- again! -- the decision did not have to be made now! Hubble can continue in operation for two more years, maybe longer, without service. Two years from now, such a service mission might be considered safe (even prudent); if not, then is when a sad decision should be made to terminate Hubble...but not now. The truth is that Hubble and the Voyager probes really are among humanity’s greatest assets. They are beloved by the public and the scientific community -- worldwide -- alike. They each continue giving us a rich flow of new knowledge...they continue to earn their keep each and every day! The U.S. Congress needs to know this. Congress needs to know how you and I, and millions of people around the world, feel about these missions. And, these leaders need to know that we ARE watching. Because right now, too many of them think that space is a “minor” public interest. Even NASA sometimes forgets that these ventures are part of a PUBLIC program. You, Society Members, have proven time and time again that space exploration belongs to the people...and time and time again, you’ve made a difference. Help us make a difference in this case, too. Again, the two immediate steps you can take today are easy, straightforward -- and powerful: Sign our petition...and help the Society with an emergency special contribution so that we can afford to wage this fight. Your direct involvement really is essential to winning these crucial battles. As I said earlier, these missions are important for all of humanity. Which is why it is so crucial that people all across the globe make their voices heard to save Hubble and the Voyager probes. Whatever else, do not delay in acting. These bad decisions will be irreversible if the U.S. Congress doesn’t act quickly and decisively. We’re counting on you! |
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