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NASA Considers Privatizing GALEX Astrophysics Satellite
hogghogg writes "The GALEX spacecraft (surveying the Universe in ultraviolet wavelengths at which the atmosphere is close to opaque) is coming to the end of its budget life, but it hasn't finished imaging the entire sky and is still (fairly) functional. A group at Caltech wants to keep it running, so NASA is considering transfer of ownership under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act, which 'allows the transfer of government-owned excess research equipment to educational institutions and non-profit organizations.' Many NASA missions are terminated for budget reasons at the end of a prescribed period, even while the hardware is still highly functional. Although this is the first-ever transfer from NASA of a functioning satellite, maybe this is just the start for a class of privately run astronomical and Earth-observing facilities in space?"
....under the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act, which 'allows the transfer of government-owned excess research equipment to educational institutions and non-profit organizations.
I am going to start a nonprofit and buy Spirit and Opportunity. See my crowdtilt and kickstarter projects to donate :-).
In all seriousness, this is a good idea to keep NASA tools going. I like it.
Silence is a state of mime.
On the face of it, this seems like a common sense piece of legislation that benefits everyone and not just the corporations.
How the fuck did that happen?
"The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
FTFA: "This would not involve compensation from Caltech," said Trent Perrotto, a NASA spokesperson. "It would be a transfer of ownership." What money?
Maybe Caltech will sell naming rights and has to share the money with NASA? ;-)
1st Reporter: And in today's science news, Papa John's GALEX satellite completed finally its mission of mapping the sky using ultraviolet light.
2st Reporter: Can you shed a little light on what that means for us "normal folks"?
1st Reporter: It means Papa John's will offering their classic Moon Pie pizza and their Out of this World moon-cheese bread sticks for only $9.99.
2st Reporter: Only $9.99? I Guess Herman Cain was on to something after all.
1st Reporter: Not really. God Father Pizza never had an offer like this.