23-02-2012, 12:08 PM
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Lost in Space ....
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Join Date: May 2010
Location: Auckland, NZ
Posts: 4,949
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One way to bypass the clouds ...
Orbiting telescope: free to good home
NASA, which is out of money, is contemplating donating one of its still-functional space telescopes, the Galaxy Evolution Explorer (GALEX), to Caltech in Pasadena, CA , if it wants it. Caltech is the home of the Jet Propulasion Laboratory.
Built and owned by NASA, but managed by Caltech, the GALEX was not expected to survive this long but continues to take pictures of galaxies and faithfully beam the pics back. Nevertheless, according to NASA's GALEX project manager, the spacecraft is in "excellent health".
Caltech officials are discussing what to do, and will notify NASA by 31 March. Then GALEX will either get new owners or shut down for good, unless another prospective owner comes to the fore.
If Caltech doesn't want it and you are interested, NASA can be contacted at the link below.
Check it out at: SPACEFLIGHTNOW.COM, NASA.GOV
Me ! me ! me ! .... 
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