Space Exploration

Are NASA's future missions and budget justified?

  • It's worth the time and expenditures

    Votes: 223 66.0%

  • Complete waste of money

    Votes: 41 12.1%

  • We need to explore, but not at the current cost

    Votes: 74 21.9%
  • Total voters
    338
#4,108
#4,108
twoffo said:
A timeline for all the things that happen on the way to operational status for the Webb telescope

https://planet4589.org/space/misc/webb/time.html
Click to expand...
That’s my biggest worry, the sheer number of steps that have to all go right for this thing to reach the right point with all of its parts deployed correctly. So many possible failure points and of course no way for humans to fix like we were able to with Hubble. This thing is on its own.
 
#4,109
#4,109
I've seen a couple blurbs that the JWST has a theoretical docking capability, possibly for refueling, but the technology to do so does not currently exist. Don't know if it's true.

It does seem odd that Hubble has been going for 30 years, but this one only has a 5-10 year life.
 
#4,110
#4,110
Velo Vol said:
I've seen a couple blurbs that the JWST has a theoretical docking capability, possibly for refueling, but the technology to do so does not currently exist. Don't know if it's true.

It does seem odd that Hubble has been going for 30 years, but this one only has a 5-10 year life.
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They typically have very conservative estimates for the lifespan. The Hubble telescope was only supposed to operate for 15 years, but is still going after 30 years. It wouldn't surprise me if the JWST ends up lasting much longer than the predicted lifespan.
 
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#4,111
#4,111
Matt2496 said:
They typically have very conservative estimates for the lifespan. The Hubble telescope was only supposed to operate for 15 years, but is still going after 30 years. It wouldn't surprise me if the JWST ends up lasting much longer than the predicted lifespan.
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5 1/2 years might be a conservative estimate, but the telescope only has a limited amount of fuel to navigate. When it's gone, it's done, unless they figure out how to refuel.

They've serviced Hubble to extend its life.
 
#4,112
#4,112
Velo Vol said:
5 1/2 years might be a conservative estimate, but the telescope only has a limited amount of fuel to navigate. When it's gone, it's done, unless they figure out how to refuel.

They've serviced Hubble to extend its life.
Click to expand...

5.5 is actually the minimum estimate. They range up to 15+ years. You also have to remember, they came up with some really creative solutions to some of Hubble's problems. Like the pressure from the solar wind being used in place of a reaction wheel. I dare say NASA will do the same with JWST to keep it going.
 
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#4,113
#4,113
Velo Vol said:
5 1/2 years might be a conservative estimate, but the telescope only has a limited amount of fuel to navigate. When it's gone, it's done, unless they figure out how to refuel.

They've serviced Hubble to extend its life.
Click to expand...
without fuel it won't be able to stay in the L2 Lagrangian point but as long as it's in range of earth it should be able to still transmit data back. Also, it does have built in reaction wheels so even without thrusters it can still change its attitude.
 
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#4,115
#4,115
RE: Longevity

An important variable is happening right now. If they get these initial burns right, it won't need to waste much fuel to park in L2. The "halo" orbit that it does also minimizes fuel consumption.

 
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#4,118
#4,118
Matt2496 said:
They typically have very conservative estimates for the lifespan. The Hubble telescope was only supposed to operate for 15 years, but is still going after 30 years. It wouldn't surprise me if the JWST ends up lasting much longer than the predicted lifespan.
Click to expand...
The Hubble was aided by two servicing missions.
 
#4,122
#4,122
Grand Vol said:
I still want to see a mission to either boost it into a stable orbit or a SpaceX Starship cargo mission to bring it back.

The Hubble deserves a place in the Smithsonian, not a death by fire.
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Why don't we let one of our European "club" members bring it home? We could supply the rocket and they could supply the money?
 
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