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How the Webb Space Telescope Got So Expensive

Posted by timothy on from the pity-we-can't-short-the-stock dept.

First time accepted submitter IICV writes "Ethan Siegel of Starts with a Bang has done some research on how and why the James Webb Space Telescope's price tag ballooned. Quoting: 'Something wasn't adding up. How could the telescope be more than three-quarters complete after $3.5 billion, but require more than double that amount to finish it? Also, how did the launch date get bumped by three years, to 2018? And how did 6.5 billion become a disastrous $8.7 billion so quickly? So I did a little digging around, and perhaps a little investigative reporting as well, and got ahold of a Webb Project Scientist who's also a member of the Webb Science Working Group.'" Whether or not you buy the argument that the money's well-spent (at $5 billion or $8 billion, or either side of these), even the work in progress is beautiful.

3 of 133 comments (clear)

  1. I know, I know... by Frosty+Piss · · Score: 4, Funny

    How the Web space telescope became so expensive? Connectivity through Comcast, no doubt.

    Hmmm. And First Post?

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    If you want news from today, you have to come back tomorrow.
    1. Re:I know, I know... by flaming+error · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's the same as software. The first 90% of the code takes 90% of the budget, the final 10% takes the other 90%.

  2. Shipping and Handling by perpenso · · Score: 4, Funny

    How the Webb Space Telescope Got So Expensive?

    Obviously it was the shipping and handling charges.