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What about these two other, very similar space telescopes that were made available by some intelligence service (CIA?) to NASA?




Ah yes, that's the context I was looking for: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012_National_Reconnaissance_O...


Firstly, they aren't telescopes let alone spacecraft, they are mostly just optical assemblies. Secondly, there are plans to make use of them in space telescopes but it will cost billions and take years to get them built and launched. WFIRST has already been planned and budgeted, though there is a proposal to slow down the program to accommodate JWST cost overruns.


This situation makes me wonder when, if ever, this country will create a "technical congress". One that, given a reliable, non-revocable budget, makes the kinds of budgeting decisions that are best NOT left to the tech-ignorant politicos.




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