Originally Posted by
TURIN
Well that's nuts. Let them get on with it.
The space telescope still works as it is now. It is owned by NASA and to a small degree the European Space Agency. They decide what to do about it, not some billionaires. If the owners of the telescope deem that the risk of a "Space Cowboys" style repair mission is too big then no such mission is performed. As easy as that, no further discussion necessary.
I also think that this would be a high risk mission. Not only for the astronauts, but also for the telescope. A space capsule and astronauts (some of which will have no or very little EVA experience) and tools and spare parts floating freely around one of the most delicate structures in orbit? That is a certain recipe for trouble. There are better ways for billionaires to show off without killing one of the most important scientific instruments ever built together with themselves.