Derek Lyons wrote:

Matt Giwer <jull43@tampabay.rr.RoMeVE.com> wrote:

The National Academies: "The Hubble Space Telescope is arguably the most
important telescope in history."

As was once Palomar as was once ... you get the picture.

The picture is that Palomar is *still* an extremely important
telescope.  No, it's not at the top of the list, but it's still in the
top ten.

    But a trip to Hubble does not mean it is around for decades. It means it is around until the replacement is in orbit. Launch cost divided by years of service which is maybe five.