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Complicated Quote by John M. Grunsfeld

“The Hubble Space Telescope, which was designed for extreme servicing, you know, we can fix everything. And the James Webb Space Telescope, where we can fix nothing. It has to work the first time. And it's a very complicated telescope.” quote by John M. Grunsfeld
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“The Hubble Space Telescope, which was designed for extreme servicing, you know, we can fix everything. And the James Webb Space Telescope, where we can fix nothing. It has to work the first time. And it's a very complicated telescope.”

John M. Grunsfeld

About This Quote

Source Interview: NASA Press Conference, 2021

The Hubble was built for repairs; JWST must work flawlessly from launch, highlighting design trade‑offs.

In simple terms: Hubble can be fixed; JWST cannot, so it must be perfect.

Key Takeaway

Plan for reliability when repairs are impossible.

Themes

technology risk management space exploration

Mood

cautious analytical

Type

technical informative

When to use this quote

  • satellite missions
  • critical infrastructure
  • high‑stakes projects

Key Concepts

engineering systems design

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you mitigate risks without repair options?
  • What design strategies ensure first‑time success?
A Different Perspective

No backup options increase pressure and risk of failure.

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