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Define easier :) if it really were easier I think it would have been done that way. We can't even assemble JWST robotically on earth in a lab at 1G. On orbit m
by LargeTomato 3y ago
Define easier :) if it really were easier I think it would have been done that way.
We can't even assemble JWST robotically on earth in a lab at 1G. On orbit manufacturing is not mature enough yet to assemble something like JWST. There are too many problems that need to be solved.
- jvanderbot 3y agoThere was never an era until now (well after JWST design was finalized) that multi-launch was an option. We're referring to the next launch. > We can't even assemble JWST robotically on earth in a lab at 1G. > On orbit manufacturing is not mature enough yet to assemble something like JWST. You may have missed the future-tense-ness of the post.
- LargeTomato 3y agoAhh I see. Not just an armchair rocket scientist but an armchair futurist rocket scientist to bat!
- jvanderbot 3y agoOh a straw man! Let's get it! I drew part of my salary from NASA helping define the roadmaps for in space assembly of telescopes, costs, benefits, and required technology. The pick and place concept is well described in NASA report outs. Thats the only reason I mention it. It's an interesting concept with well established merits. https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/science-enabling-technology/technology-highlights/in-space-telescope-assembly/ https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/science-enabling-t... I'm standing on the upper right of that photo. It was a fun study and I'm lucky to have been in the room at the time