The future of astrophysics in the 21st century is connected with the quantity and quality of new data about the universe supplied by space and ground-based telescopes. What are the prospects of this branch of space research in the context of the constantly increasing cost and complexity of missions? What is in store for space research in the coming decades? Have the “Dark Ages” of this field of science come to replace its “Golden Era”? These issues were touched upon in the report by Pietro Ubertini, Director of the Institute of Astrophysics and Space Planetology in Rome (National Institute of astrophysics, Italy) at the Scientific Assembly of the International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR). Mr. Ubertini represents the “Future of Space Astronomy” working group of COSPAR, and his report reflects the point of view of the group on the working plan of the specialists in this area in the upcoming decades.Until now, the upgrading of space-based telescopes has basically proceeded along the path of increasing their size, price, and technical complexity. These efforts have been justified – many of these apparatuses have worked and are still working for a decade or more (for example, in October the INTEGRAL international x-ray observatory celebrates the 10th anniversary of its launch). However, against the background of the financial crisis, the question of price becomes decisive. The future launch of the James Webb space telescope, the cost of which exceeded initial estimates by several billion dollars, has become the talk of the town. The project won’t be cancelled (though this option was under consideration for some time), but analysts have repeatedly stated that its exaggerated budget was dramatically reducing funding for other branches of space research. Tags:
Opinion & Analysis,
World,
space exploration ,
Sci-Tech,
astronomy,
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Voice of Russia.
