3 ms·
> There is a docking ring on JWST, so it could be reboosted to a proper orbit if there's a problem with the launch. Is the JWST designed to accommodate thrust
by JshWright 9y ago
> There is a docking ring on JWST, so it could be reboosted to a proper orbit if there's a problem with the launch.
Is the JWST designed to accommodate thrust along the axis of the docking ring?
- dsfyu404ed 9y agoApply less thrust. It survived assembly, transport and launch. Everything costs money to put into space. You don't just attach a big heavy docking ring with scotch tape. You put is somewhere that material and strength can be useful. With the safety factors involved (wouldn't want to brick a billion dollar spacecraft because you came in a few mm/sec too hot) it makes the most sense to put the docking ring somewhere structurally significant.
- JshWright 9y agoIt's not just a matter of how much thrust... It's also the direction of the thrust relative to the center of mass of the spacecraft... (it doesn't do you any good if the thrust you apply just induces a spin)