And lo ! The NSF are again considering bonkers options for defunding one of the world's most advanced radio telescopes. Good job, team ! Let's normalise the process of considering radically stupid actions ! YAY !
Alternatives to be evaluated in the Environmental Impact Statement will be refined through public input, with preliminary proposed alternatives that include the following:
Continued NSF investment for science-focused operations (No-Action Alternative)
Collaboration with interested parties for science- and education-focused operations with reduced NSF-funded scope
Collaboration with interested parties for operation as a technology and education park
Mothballing of facilities (suspension of operations in a manner such that operations could resume efficiently at some future date)
Deconstruction and site restoration
Woo-hoo.
http://greenbankobservatory.org/eis-statement
Who wouldn't want to re-create a slightly smaller version of the end scene of Goldeneye ?
ReplyDeleteThe timing-- one day after electing a new POTUS -- couldn't be worse. If Clinton wins most government-funded operations will freeze policy decisions while we wait to see how she redistributes the money. If not, well, I'm not going there.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.wired.com/2016/10/happens-space-observatory-goes-rogue/
ReplyDeletewired.com - The Green Bank Observatory Is Going Rogue to Stay Up and Running
At this point, should we start a petition to get Europe's ESO to buy it?
ReplyDeleteWhat's even more amusing is that they already appear to have implemented Option 2, but are claiming that Option 1 is the 'no change' option...
ReplyDelete