Webb Space Telescope

[mtrycrafts]

I am a bit confused about its orbit around the sun at 1.5million km further out from earth.
The animation also shows it is orbiting at that point or going in circles out there while going around the sun. Why can't it just orbit around the sun without orbiting or circling around that theoretical L2 point.

 

[ryanosaur]

I am a bit confused about its orbit around the sun at 1.5million km further out from earth.
The animation also shows it is orbiting at that point or going in circles out there while going around the sun. Why can't it just orbit around the sun without orbiting or circling around that theoretical L2 point.

I don't have the academic steez to define it, but:

What is a Lagrange Point? - NASA Science

Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two body system like the Sun and the Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion. These can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position.

solarsystem.nasa.gov

 

[mtrycrafts]

I don't have the academic steez to define it, but:

What is a Lagrange Point? - NASA Science

Lagrange Points are positions in space where the gravitational forces of a two body system like the Sun and the Earth produce enhanced regions of attraction and repulsion. These can be used by spacecraft to reduce fuel consumption needed to remain in position.

solarsystem.nasa.gov

Thanks. While it explains those 5 L points, I am not sure it mentioned or explained the need to stabilize L2 point by having it orbit that L2 point, or the drawing is a representation of the 23rd day adjustments become an orbit of that point. Just trying to understand the need for that orbit around L2.

 

[davidscott]

So its orbit is somewhere between earth and mars?

 

[ryanosaur]

Orbiting between earth and mars… but much closer to earth.

I believe the orbit around the Lagrange point requires less fuel than if it were trying to be completely stable in that point.

 

[mtrycrafts]

So its orbit is somewhere between earth and mars?

Yes, 1.5 million km away from earth's orbit. So, in essence it's a geosynchronous location out there, always on the same radii around the sun with the earth's radii, no leading or lagging in that orbit. Relative to Webb, earth is always between it and the sun as if it was the same bicycle spoke, Webb at the tire and earth a bit inward on the same spoke.

 

[davidscott]

Orbiting between earth and mars… but much closer to earth.

I believe the orbit around the Lagrange point requires less fuel than if it were trying to be completely stable in that point.

Thanks.

 

[davidscott]

Yes, 1.5 million km away from earth's orbit. So, in essence it's a geosynchronous location out there, always on the same radii around the sun with the earth's radii, no leading or lagging in that orbit. Relative to Webb, earth is always between it and the sun as if it was the same bicycle spoke, Webb at the tire and earth a bit inward on the same spoke.

Thanks

 

[ryanosaur]

According to space.com, the thruster will fire at 2pm EST to begin the insertion into orbit at L2. Previous reports have indicated this process to take half a day.

 

[davidscott]

So will L2 be the final destination? I know I could google it but you seem on top of it.

 

[ryanosaur]

So will L2 be the final destination? I know I could google it but you seem on top of it.

Yes. Once there, they will begin the slow process of fine tuning the mirrors as the business end continues cooling to its planned operating temperature of:

about 37 kelvins (minus 393 Fahrenheit/ minus 236 Celsius)

 

[davidscott]

Yes. Once there, they will begin the slow process of fine tuning the mirrors as the business end continues cooling to its planned operating temperature of:

Thanks again. I can't wait to see the pics this telescope will bring us.

 

[ryanosaur]

Thanks again. I can't wait to see the pics this telescope will bring us.

I think they’re talking sometime in April for the 18 segments to be focused.
We still have a long ways to go.

 

[davidscott]

Thanks what will happen to the Hubbel then?

 

[Trell]

Thanks what will happen to the Hubbel then?

Hubble FAQs - NASA Science

Hubble at Work Where is the Hubble Space Telescope? The Hubble Space Telescope orbits just above Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 320 miles (515 km). Hubble orbits at a speed of 17,000 miles per hour (27,000 kph) and completes one orbit approximately every 95 minutes. Hubble...

www.nasa.gov

>>>
How long is Hubble expected to remain operational?

When Hubble launched in 1990, it was expected to have a lifespan of about 15 years. Largely because of five successful astronaut servicing missions to the telescope, Hubble’s technology was upgraded and improved, and the telescope remains scientifically productive to this day. All indications are that the telescope will continue operating into the late 2020s and possibly beyond.
<<<

 

[davidscott]

Hubble FAQs - NASA Science

Hubble at Work Where is the Hubble Space Telescope? The Hubble Space Telescope orbits just above Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of approximately 320 miles (515 km). Hubble orbits at a speed of 17,000 miles per hour (27,000 kph) and completes one orbit approximately every 95 minutes. Hubble...

www.nasa.gov

>>>
How long is Hubble expected to remain operational?

When Hubble launched in 1990, it was expected to have a lifespan of about 15 years. Largely because of five successful astronaut servicing missions to the telescope, Hubble’s technology was upgraded and improved, and the telescope remains scientifically productive to this day. All indications are that the telescope will continue operating into the late 2020s and possibly beyond.
<<<

Thanks man

 

[haraldo]

The prospect of being able to see the first galaxies is to me mind boggling, I can´t wait to see what James Webb Telescope will bring in.... maybe we can also get some better shots of black holes.... wow this is gonna be way cool

 

[mtrycrafts]

Yes. Hubble could be up there for a long time as it can be serviced unlike Webb with its distance and planned life of about 10 years.

 

[mtrycrafts]

The prospect of being able to see the first galaxies is to me mind boggling, I can´t wait to see what James Webb Telescope will bring in.... maybe we can also get some better shots of black holes.... wow this is gonna be way cool

You mean those black holes will not be so black to Webb?

 

[davidscott]

Any of you peeps ever visited NASA at cape Kennedy in Florida? That was one very informative visit. Stayed there all day and could have easily gone a second.