The amazing thing about the amount of discoveries to have been made with Kepler, is that our ability to observe the Universe is only limited by our technology. Imagining what we will be able to see and discover with the next generation of telescopes makes me giddy.
I completely agree! As much of a clusterfuck as the James Webb has been, I'm really looking forward to seeing it launch. I can't even begin to imagine the things we will see with it.
7+ billions eggs in one unserviceable fragile basket that needs to plunder all other projects? I'm not optimistic on Webb. And if the rocket fails or that unfold mechanism from hell doesn't work it will all go up in smoke.
It would have been great to spend the money on Webb on several smaller missions like Kepler, and leave the Mars missions alone.
Whatever science Webb can do is unlikely to make up for the opportunity costs lost in these other missions.
