Re: Space??? who needs space?
The point is that you aren't trying to store that data - you are trying to process it.
Radio astronomy is basically capture lots of random noise, do clever stuff, get picture.
You do have to store lots of intermediate data because it can take months to build up an entire picture when you are relying on the Earth moving to shift your telescope.
The amount that will actually be stored permanently is relatively small.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
