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>think of JWST 2.0 An expendable starship with fairings can launch a (dimensionally) even larger telescope. Or a starlink like array of large telescope modules
by nullifidian 5y ago
>think of JWST 2.0
An expendable starship with fairings can launch a (dimensionally) even larger telescope. Or a starlink like array of large telescope modules.
- jmyeet 5y agoThat was my point. The JWST was so complex in part because the mirror was so large it had to have the complicated unfolding mechanism to even fit on the choosen vehicle. When Starship is in service, I imagine a replacement for JWST with the same mirror size oculd be developed for much cheaper because it wouldn't have to be so complex. Or it have an even larger mirror. But JWST development went hand in hand with the capabilities of the launch vehicle for a decade or more. You can't just put that same payload on another rocket. It's part of the design process. It will take time for the capabilities of Starship to flow into the design process for even larger payloads that otherwise just aren't possible today.
- nullifidian 5y agoNah, they plan to utilize starship to the max with a similar folding mechanism as in JWST. Called LUVOIR-A. What I meant is that with this mirror folding scheme and a starship stage with fairings they could launch a telescope even larger than LUVOIR-A. Like an enormous orbital telescope.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]