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NASA Christens the Spitzer Space Telescope

Posted by michael on from the virtual-champagne dept.

LMCBoy writes "NASA today renamed the Space Infrared Telescope Facility to the Spitzer Space Telescope, after a great scientist. The renaming coincides with the release of the beautiful first science images from the telescope, which was launched in August."

1 of 23 comments (clear)

  1. Its a shame... by beefneck9 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    3 observatories in the sky ( the forth 'Great Observatory' Compton has already splashed down), and with each one covering a different part of the spectrum, it'll be interesting to see how NASA plays it out. It is a shame that NASA has to consider pulling their biggest PR success off of station and burn it away, see Hubble to retire. True a replacement is in the works, but Hubble and Chandra, and now Spitzer, are all NASA and the US space program really have going for them right now. Sure it cost mucho $$$ to reload propellant onto these rigs, but maybe someone should find a way to keep these scopes up there. In times when our space program needs dreamers, thinkers, and risk-takers, a good deal of the general public lacks the intestinal fortitude and dedication needed to make progress. Spitzer and the other 2 great observatories help hold the line till we gain momentum. And no, the Space Station cannot accomplish as much with the troubles it is experiencing.