2x new 2.4m space telescopes donated to NASA !!

[beamish]

http://www.space.com/16145-nasa-spy-space-telescopes-budget.html

Came across the story in AN but you can read about it here. 2x Hubble class scopes with "Astounding optics " unused

[michael.h.f.wilkinson]

What, they didn't go on e-Bay?

Seriously, these are great scopes of course, but as I understand there is no budget for instrumentation (easily as costly as the optics).

[kenmyers]

Does anybody else see this as terrifying? These mirrors are designed to look at earth, not the stars. They are a true indication of the in use (10 years ago) spy capabilities owned by the USAF. And these are SPARES.

[beamish]

Not exactly new info tho is it re the spying capabilities- the fact these are spare and unused is !

they can "pick out a dime " on the roof of the Congressional building !!!

[Monty]

Makes you wonder what does the USAF have in orbit at the moment and what spares will appear in the near future...

Have we sold the Ark Royal yet on our military version of eBay? If I win the lottery I might buy it and park it in a few oceans for the perfect dark skies.

[Alan_B]

The cost to keep them in storage is about $70,000 a year,

Dont think I could afford to keep one in the garage