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To: zeestephen

JWST’s current radial velocity away from Earth is just 468 mph, with 20900 miles to go. It loses a few dozen mph per day at this point; Earth’s gravitation pull is about one-millionth what it was when it was launched.


2 posted on 01/22/2022 9:33:24 PM PST by Steely Tom ([Voter Fraud] == [Civil War])
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To: Steely Tom
I calculate Webb's L-2 orbital speed to be around 325-350 mph.

I do not know what the orbital insertion speed is. I assume the final burn adds speed to the current 468 mph.

Webb will do one revolution around L-2 every six months. Webb's distance from L-2 is roughly the same as the distance between Earth and Moon.

I recently read that docking and maintaining Webb precisely at L-2 would require significantly more fuel than the L-2 orbit does.

Also, being anchored at L-2 creates Earth and Moon shadow issues for Webb, which would impact the available energy, plus, cause fluctuating temperature issues with vital equipment.

10 posted on 01/22/2022 10:35:24 PM PST by zeestephen
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To: Steely Tom

What is Webb’s energy source if it’s hidden from the sun?


17 posted on 01/23/2022 2:39:13 AM PST by nikos1121
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