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INTRODUCTION


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Building Space Telescopes… In Space

Concept of an in-space assembled telescope. Credit: NASA When it comes to telescopes, bigger is better. That’s true down here on Earth, and it’s especially true out in space. As astronomers and engineers design the next generation of giant space telescopes, they’re running up against the limits of current launch providers. There are only so many ways you can fold a huge telescope to get it to fit inside a 5-meter launch fairing.

Building Space Telescopes... In Space

When it comes to telescopes, bigger is better. That’s true down here on Earth, and it’s especially true out in space. As astronomers and engineers design the next generation of giant space telescopes, they’re running up against the limits of current launch providers. There are only so many ways you can fold a huge telescope to get it to fit inside a 5-meter launch fairing. The upcoming James Webb Space Telescope is pretty much the very limit of what you can construct on Earth and put into space in a single launch. To go bigger, space agencies will need to consider assembling their next-generation space telescopes… in space. Our Book is out! Audio Podcast version: ITunes: RSS: Support us at:Support us at: Follow us on Tumblr: : More stories at Follow us on Twitter: @universetoday Like us on Facebook: Instagram - Team: Fraser Cain - @fcain / frasercain@gmail.com Karla Thompson - @karlaii Chad Weber - Chloe Cain - Instagram: @chloegwen2001 Music: Left Spine Down - “X-Ray” References: HUBBLE'S JOURNEY AND THE TECHNOLOGY THAT MAKES IT POSSIBLE Herschel launch NASA in-Space Assembled Telescope (iSAT) Study Space Station Assembly Cargo Dragon Berthed to Station

Artist’s impression of the Herschel Space Telescope. Credit: ESA/AOES Medialab/NASA/ESA/STScI

Artist Concept: Illustration of NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope. Credits: NASA

Artist’s concept of the Large Ultraviolet/Optical/Infrared Surveyor (LUVOIR) space telescope. Credits: NASA/GSFC

International Space Station. Credit: NASA

NASA astronaut Story Musgrave rides the Canadarm during the Hubble Space Telescope repair mission STS-61, in 1993. Credit: NASA

The JWST will do its observing while in what’s called a halo orbit at L2, a sort of gravitationally neutral point 1.5 million km from Earth. Image: NASA/JWST

First component of the iSAT is the spacecraft bus with its robotic arms and solar panels. Credit: NASA

Fully assembled space telescope with main mirror, secondary instruments and sunshield. Credit: NASA


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