[account42]

You calculation only makes sense if you put zero value on operating a probe that far out in the galaxy - in which case you should be asking why there was a team working on it in the first place.

But that value is not zero, and replacing it costs quite a bit - both money and time. Asking how and why this happened is a valid inquiry.

[ajb]

Under the assumption that it is bricked, the value is indeed now zero. I think where we differ is that you are assuming it will be replaced, but I don't think it will be. It's way past its design life so it was going to expire at some point.

For science, I would want to do an enquiry anyway - I'm just commenting on the financial/accountability aspect.