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James Webb Space Telescope Cost Overruns Adding Up

Posted by Soulskill on from the still-worth-it dept.

digitaldc writes "The scale of the delay and cost overrun blighting NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been laid bare by a panel called in to review the project. The group believes the final budget for Hubble's successor is likely to climb to at least $6.5bn, for a launch that is possible in September 2015. But even this assessment is optimistic (PDF), say the panel members. Estimates for JWST's total cost to build, launch and operate have steadily increased over the years from $3.5bn to $5bn. Along with the cost growth, the schedule has also eroded. The most recent projected launch of 2014 has looked under pressure for some time. Charles Bolden has ordered a reorganization of the project and has changed the management at its top. Whereas Hubble sees the Universe mostly in visible light, JWST will observe the cosmos at longer wavelengths, in the infrared. It will see deeper into space and further back in time, to the very first population of stars."

8 of 153 comments (clear)

  1. Re:But but but by ciderbrew · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Yes we do. A lot more pictures. This thing is a bargain when compared with the things we'll find out about the universe.

  2. Still less than war by afidel · · Score: 5, Insightful

    It's still going to cost significantly less than a month in Iraq or Afghanistan....

    --
    There are 4 boxes to use in the defense of liberty: soap, ballot, jury, ammo. Use in that order. Starting now.
    1. Re:Still less than war by Dolphinzilla · · Score: 2, Insightful

      what makes you think this wont support the war in Afghanistan ? we can finally find the tallest man in Pakistan - from orbit - at night

  3. We spend more money on things much less important. by jstrauser · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't care if it costs 6.5 trillion. The amount of knowledge gained from peering that far back is invaluable.

  4. These aren't cost overruns by countertrolling · · Score: 2, Insightful

    They just underestimated the original bid to get the contract. That's just the way things work.. SNAFU

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    For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
    1. Re:These aren't cost overruns by geekoid · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This is why I would love to see the government sue people who grossly underbid contracts.

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      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  5. Re:We spend more money on things much less importa by windcask · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I think sating our curiosity about the beginnings of the universe should take a back seat to our 13 trillion dollar deficit, our 9.6% unemployment rate, our sluggish exports market, our extended overseas military conflicts, our wide-open borders, and our faltering standing as the leader of the free world...but what do I know?

  6. Re:We spend more money on things much less importa by Xoltri · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Divide the 6.5 billion amongst all of the problems you list and you'll see how insignificant it is. That's like saying you should not buy that big screen TV because there are people in the world that are starving to death right now. Sure, it may be true that there are people starving to death, but not buying that big screen tv is not going to save them. It is a bigger issue.

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    -Xoltri