NASA is continuing to work on a mission to use the space shuttle to service the Hubble telescope. NASA will reassess an agency decision not to send astronauts to repair and service the telescope. Unless deteriorating batteries and gyroscopes are replaced, the telescope could cease useful operation by 2007 or 2008. To pay for a Hubble rescue, NASA will need to defer work on more advanced telescopes scheduled for launching in the next decade. NASA chief Dr. Michael Griffin said he would reconsider the Hubble mission after the first two shuttle test flights determined if it would be safe to attempt it. | 
