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Tweeted twitter.com/StackSpaceExp/status/1083649830998720512
Better tags; fixed typos
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Nathan Tuggy
Nathan Tuggy
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How will JWST maintain its elliptical orbit around L2?

I understand that JWST will have a vertical elliptical orbit arondaround L2, but what I don't understand is how the telescope will actually maintain an orbit if there is no body in L2 to actually orbit around. There is no center of mass to pull the telescope inward to maintain a circular orbit around L2 while also orbiting the sun. Does the telescope maintain this orbit using its own power?

How will JWST maintain its elliptical orbit around L2

I understand that JWST will have a vertical elliptical orbit arond L2, but what I don't understand is how the telescope will actually maintain an orbit if there is no body in L2 to actually orbit around. There is no center of mass to pull the telescope inward to maintain a circular orbit around L2 while also orbiting the sun. Does the telescope maintain this orbit using its own power?

How will JWST maintain its elliptical orbit around L2?

I understand that JWST will have a vertical elliptical orbit around L2, but what I don't understand is how the telescope will actually maintain an orbit if there is no body in L2 to actually orbit around. There is no center of mass to pull the telescope inward to maintain a circular orbit around L2 while also orbiting the sun. Does the telescope maintain this orbit using its own power?

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Jesseseamans
Jesseseamans
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How will JWST maintain its elliptical orbit around L2

I understand that JWST will have a vertical elliptical orbit arond L2, but what I don't understand is how the telescope will actually maintain an orbit if there is no body in L2 to actually orbit around. There is no center of mass to pull the telescope inward to maintain a circular orbit around L2 while also orbiting the sun. Does the telescope maintain this orbit using its own power?