Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: Izzy Dunne
I believe they have the capability to make in-flight repairs. If for what ever reason that is not doable, I believe they have capability to go to the Space station to ride it out.
24 posted on 05/12/2009 12:11:29 PM PDT by DAC21
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 17 | View Replies ]


To: DAC21

They can’t go to the space station on this mission because Hubble (and consequently Atlantis) is in a completely different orbital plane. Orbital plane change maneuvers of that magnitude are far beyond the shuttle’s capability (as well as any other spacecraft). That’s why for this mission, Endeavour is already standing by on pad 39B - a rescue would have to occur quickly before Atlantis’s supplies are exhausted.


61 posted on 05/12/2009 12:39:34 PM PDT by messierhunter
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies ]

To: DAC21
If for what ever reason that is not doable, I believe they have capability to go to the Space station to ride it out.

No they don't. The Hubble orbit is inclined 28.5 degrees to the equator. The space station orbit is inclined something like 51 degrees. The Shuttle cannot make such an orbital inclination change with the amount of fuel it has on board.

Think of it this way. Think of two straight interstate roads that intersect at some angle. If you are chasing a car on that road at high speed, it's relatively easy to catch the car just by changing your speed to match the speed of the car. But if that car you're chasing is on the other road, it's not easy making a turn at very high speeds to get onto the other road. Think of how fast the Shuttle is moving in orbit, you just can't make inclinational orbit changes easily.
108 posted on 05/13/2009 6:15:37 AM PDT by plsvn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson