At least the potential return in scientific discovery is huge, enormous! Even if mismanaged, so long it is finished we will get something out of it.

Agreed. And for once (although I rue the “supersize” up-size) I think that sunk costs are worth following up on, especially since Congress’s dithering on the CRs helped bloat the cost-to-date. I would love to see what the JWST could discover.

@ Coastal Ron at 7:22 pm

…would there be smaller programs that could take over its budget? If not, then that would create a pretty big hole in the science category.

Yeah, actually cutting NASA science programs by the amount that JWST would need to continue would be a lose-lose for everyone concerned, i.e. you and me and the world.

DCSCA wrote @ September 13th, 2011 at 2:34 pm

I honestly don’t understand what DCSCA is even doing on this website, since he doesn’t seem to care about space, at all. He’s not your typical space enthusiast for sure, honestly I don’t think he even understands the concept of enthusiasm.

I mean, even Windy, in his own bizarre way, sometimes argues from a positive conviction, an idea of what spaceflight is about. But every single of DCSCA’s statements I have ever read is negative and contrarian, usually with a bit of gloating and condescending smugness thrown in. I can’t remember reading a single word of positive advocacy or constructive suggestion from him, ever.

So, DcSCA… what is it you actually want? For spaceflight, or rather, out of it?

“I’ve softened my position on JWST a bit”

I could go either way, but I like the idea of a cap if they keep it. I just wonder what the trade off would be if we ended it now – would there be smaller programs that could take over it’s budget? If not, then that would create a pretty big hole in the science category.

“whereas that other guy is just bitter, boringly repetitive, and mean spirited.”

Regarding Windy Jr., even on his response post he can’t see the contradictions in his positions. One minute boasting space should be government funded (in the DoD), and the next that it should be privately funded (42 cents of every dollar… blah, blah, blah). He’s consistently inconsistent.

“The loss may not be worth the possible gain.”

You know that is a tough call. If I had to choose I would keep JWST in a heart beat. At least the potential return in scientific discovery is huge, enormous! Even if mismanaged, so long it is finished we will get something out of it.

Unlike SLS/MPCV that are abominable waste with no scheduled flights!

Actually, windy is so over the top that he’s humorous, whereas that other guy is just bitter, boringly repetitive, and mean spirited.

I’ve softened my position on JWST a bit, but unless NASA gets a budget increase specifically for the project, with a caveat that it may not go over it’s budget or touch other budgets to survive, I fear we will lose to many other great projects.

The loss may not be worth the possible gain.

“At least space advocates have a consistent perspective, regardless whether it’s the Moon, Mars, commercial, government or whatever.”

Yes, to spend government monies, of which 42 cents of every dollar is borrowed, during a time of massive deficits and debt on esoteric projects with no ROI to the Treasury. Pitch Apple, Google or SpaceX. They await your business plan on space science for profit.

“You are more windy that Windy…”

Ouch! That was rough.

But sometime they do seem to agree so…

“It’s fairly easy to make space science advocates…”

At least space advocates have a consistent perspective, regardless whether it’s the Moon, Mars, commercial, government or whatever.

You, on the other hand, don’t have a consist point of view. You can’t even agree with yourself if spaceflight should be done by governments or privately funded. You are more windy that Windy…

It’s fairly easy to make space science advocates squirm when they have to justify their projects in the Age of Austerity just like HSF advocates. As you say, ‘what a maroon.’

Ah come on. DCSCA is making absolute sense. We all know that the government is sold to large corporations. Even not so large ones, y’know the President walked with someone at the Cape, y’know. Crony capitalism and all that sort of things. So basically the government, all of it, is run by business lobbyists therefore there is a self sustaining private-government conspiracy to allow government astronauts to be private and the same for gigantic space telescopes. Note that even the military are going private. For troops and for LVs. Now. Astronauts of the 60s really are different. They were the pure at heart, the bold, the valiant. Non of them tried to go make a buck or two using their fames. Oh, wait! Okay some did. Some say that astronauts are even trying to use their connections in the government and int he industry (can you believe this?!?!) to push forward their own agendas. And no I am not talking about Buzz Aldrin, we all know what camp he’s in…

I think it works. Or something like this.