Linked Questions
10 questions linked to/from How will JWST manage solar pressure effects to maintain attitude and station keep it's unstable orbit?
12
votes
4answers
4k views
Why aren't space telescopes put in GEO?
I don't know of any space telescope that has been placed in geosynchronous orbit among the communication satellites. I wonder why not?
In GEO, a space telescope could use a single stationary radio ...
8
votes
4answers
5k views
How can electronics on board JWST survive the low operating temperature while it's difficult to survive lunar nights?
Compared to the temperatures encountered in lunar nights, the desired operating temperature of the James Webb Space Telescope is very low. Lunar nights are typically -170°C while the operating ...
15
votes
4answers
2k views
Why are JWST optics not enclosed like HST?
The Hubble Space Telescope encloses its primary and secondary mirrors in a tube. The James Webb Space Telescope has no tube around its optics, which obviously leads to significant mass savings. Does ...
12
votes
3answers
3k views
Could JWST stay at L2 “forever”?
Using only reaction wheels powered by solar panel and the sunshield as a sail (in continuous active attitude control) to generate thrust from solar photon pressure in the desired direction, could JWST ...
14
votes
2answers
1k views
Is this what station keeping maneuvers look like, or just glitches in data? (SOHO via Horizons)
I've been enjoying the JPL Horizons web interface and after I discovered the incredibly extensive database associated with SOHO (Solar and Heliospheric Observatory, also see sohowww.nascom.nasa.gov) ...
12
votes
1answer
1k views
What is the principle behind Mariner 4's “Solar Pressure Vanes”? In what case(s) would they be effective?
The image below, found in this answer shows four "Solar Pressure Vanes" on Mariner 4.
I've never heard of such a thing.
I can imagine that it might have been thought to help favor the spacecraft's ...
3
votes
1answer
120 views
How would 2 spacecraft be launched to be in sync in opposite directions?
How would 1 spacecraft be launched to have a prograde orbit and the another be launched retrograde to have a mirrored orbital path around the sun or otherwise? Would the 2 spacecraft launch together ...
1
vote
1answer
59 views
How would 2 JWSTs make stereo pictures?
Could 2 JWST be launched in opposite directions to provide stereo vision? Would a stereo picture provide any benefit?
https://space.stackexchange.com/a/35402/18879
Related: How will JWST manage ...
1
vote
1answer
64 views
Shape Memory Metal Self Stablizing Solar Sail
Can the frame of a solar sail be made with shape-memory metals to contract in a way to maintain orientation to the Sun either in orbit or interplanetary? Would there be enough temperature difference ...
1
vote
0answers
66 views
How does temperature affect a solar sail?
Is there an ideal temperature which solar sail material operates at? Does a colder reflective surface create more thrust?
Related: How will JWST manage solar pressure effects to maintain attitude and ...