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>> apparently once a generation I hope not. This one is only going to last 10 years. Kepler also only lasted 10 years. Given the time it took to build it, I
by sandworm101 5y ago
>> apparently once a generation
I hope not. This one is only going to last 10 years. Kepler also only lasted 10 years. Given the time it took to build it, I hope the JWST's replacement is already well into development. The reality is that space telescopes are launched every couple years without much fanfare. This just happens to be a very big and expensive one.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_telescopes https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_space_telescopes
- rjn 5y agoonly reason for 10 years is fuel, I think they are working on a robot to refuel it to increase the lifetime.
- gibolt 5y agoHopefully this restraint will become less significant for future missions. Starship should mean larger payload volume (less folding/structure required), far more payload capacity, far lower costs, and more frequent flights. Refueling and refurbishment costs should become much more acceptable as viable approaches emerge due to dropping ticket cost to space.
- throwawayboise 5y agoWhat's a generation? Longer than 10 years certainly, but many people have kids by their early 20s if not before.
- pvorb 5y agoI think typically a generation is around 30 years, but this changes over time. Currently it's higher in the western world, but it was shorter 100 years ago.