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0 pointsnate_meurer14y ago0 comments

Yep, especially shitty since the project is so far along.

It needs to be said that JWST isn't primarily over-budget because of technical problems, but because they didn't do realistic cost and time estimates in the first place. Overall, the project has suffered very few technical surprises.

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TheCondor14y ago

So what does this mean? We just shit can it?

Or it sits on a shelf for a couple years or what? If we want to save money, shouldn't we kill something before we start it?

nate_meurerOP14y ago

Projects of this complexity are difficult to mothball, and the costs of restarting are very high. We've seen that with the F-22 fighter.

What we really need are politicians who can grasp the ROI of basic science (which is what I believe the JWST is) and have the will to prioritize it.

Sadly, politicians with both brains and courage are a rare breed.

jamesbritt14y ago

You say that like politicians with either brains or courage is somehow not rare.

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