Quote:
Originally Posted by Griff
Tell the entire story. Al's original idea didn't involve any meaningful science.
|
That one instrument did many functions. All science people so wanted it that is was ready for launch when it was cancelled. When wackos were replaced by moderates in government, suddenly that sattellite had a purpose again. Extremists would promote that lie to protect their credibility.
Triana was only one of a full constellation of satellites that were canceled by George Jr extremists. Most all of our earth observation satellites, so critical to weather forecasting, fishery observations, geology research, and a long list of other science, are well beyond their life expectancy. Most of them were supposed to be replaced in the early 2000 when wacko extremists canceled them all. Only for one reason. Each canceled bird might do science on global warming.
The Tirana satellite was finished, paid for ($100 million), and ready to launch when wacko extremists canceled it. No way around that reality no matter how wacko extremists attempt to spin it.
Another research satellite suffered similar political extremists revenge: Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer. As discussed in
Quantum Leap.
And in
Mars: One Way.
I believe this bird will launch at 1530 hours eastern on a SpaceX Falcon rocket. Probably can be watched on NASA TV.