Posted on 04/14/2013 8:36:59 PM PDT by Jyotishi
HST has very sophisticated thermal control. Of course this can be done on a larger scale, but it can’t be done for $1 billion.
Launching 492 pieces would require hundreds of launches. Probably $100 billion. Not to mention the structure that holds them all together.
Then you have the issue on on-orbit assembly, which would make the launch issue seem like child’s play and pocket change.
Next comes the issue of a spacecraft to control the telescope. More on-orbit assembly, and lots of complexity. The angular momentum of such a large spacecraft would require unprecedented slewing mechanisms.
We might be able to put a 100 meter telescope into orbit, but look for a 10 year time frame and at least $1 trillion.
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