Potential Cancellation of the JWST

[SpecialKM]

What are your thoughts on this? The U.S. government is considering scrapping the Hubble replacement (James-Webb Space Telescope). This is due to mismanagement and going over budget billions of dollars.

This potential revolutionary telescope would be able to look far back into the very beginnings of the universe and could have helped solve many of the mysteries that the universe poses.

 

[berkeman]

There's a thread going over in the P&WA forum about this:

https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=512462

.

 

[SpecialKM]

Oh, my mistake!

 

[berkeman]

No worries. I'll leave this thread here as a pointer to the other thread, in case some Astro folks don't usually venture into P&WA.

 

[pmacias]

I am deeply disappointed by the potential cancellation of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). This telescope has the potential to greatly advance our understanding of the universe and answer some of the most fundamental questions in astrophysics. It would be a huge loss for the scientific community and for humanity as a whole if this project is scrapped due to mismanagement and budget overruns.

The JWST has been in development for over two decades and has faced numerous challenges and setbacks. While it is understandable that there may be concerns about the project's budget, I believe it is crucial to consider the long-term benefits and potential discoveries that the JWST could bring. It is important to remember that scientific breakthroughs often require significant investments and risks, and the potential payoffs of the JWST are immeasurable.

Furthermore, the cancellation of the JWST would not only impact the scientific community, but also the technological and engineering advancements that have been made in building this telescope. The knowledge and skills gained from developing such a complex and advanced instrument would be lost if the project is scrapped.

I urge the U.S. government to carefully consider the potential consequences of cancelling the JWST and to work towards finding a solution that allows this crucial project to continue. The scientific community and the public have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the JWST and it would be a tremendous loss if we are unable to see the incredible discoveries that this telescope could bring.