Hubble Origins Probe
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The Hubble Origins Probe (HOP) is an orbital telescope proposed by an international team led by Johns Hopkins University astronomers. The proposed telescope would make use of designs from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), and instruments that were intended for the planned 4th HST servicing mission, as well as a new very wide field imager, to enhance the original science mission of the HST. The HOP would use a much lighter, unaberrated mirror and optical telescope assembly. Building on work done for the HST would decrease risks, cost and development time for the new project. The HOP was proposed when rising estimated cost to service the HST, and the trouble surrounding the Space Shuttle flights, led to cancellation of the servicing mission to the HST.
If approved, it is expected to be ready for launch by the end of 2010 and to cost from 700M to 1B U.S. dollars. The probe would use an Atlas V rocket or similar launch vehicle. It would also incorporate new technology into its design to reduce its weight with respect to the original. The mission would be a one time five-year run and would receive no servicing from the Space Shuttle. The mission is still being debated and lacks any funding. Critics argue that the money would be better spent on a modern cost-effective space telescope design like the JWST rather than re-using the outdated design of Hubble. It may never be built.
