NASA do it again, they have monkeys testing their scopes.

I know that there were circumstances beyond their control but when I spoke to my cousin at the time he said that they only exacerbated the prob,but I'll ring him in Arizona this w/end to refresh my memory of our conversation and let you know.

Hi Lads, I saw that programme too and it clearly indicated that fleck of paint.....or was that whitewash?

I work with Spitzer data - the problems specified in the S&T article don't really impact the science done, to be honest. I think it's a case of blowing it all way, way out of proportion - it's in no way in the same league as HST!!!!! A bit of hysterics sells magazines, but still, shame on S&T......

Stephen,
Theres a blast from the past, I remember that program, absolutely gripping, something to do with a null lens not been exactly where it should have been.

They also talked about the possible solutions, placing a quartz lens on the front of the scope, something like a schmidt corrector plate, and an inflated baloon device and even replacing the mirror altogether, but they settled on COSTAR (corrective optics space telescope axial replacement, or something like that), but they had to remove the high speed photometer to get it in.

I'd love to see that program again.