Hubble (was Re: Orbital Mechanics)

Henry Spencer <[email protected]> Fri, 31 Dec 2004 19:31:30 -0500 (EST)

Newsgroups	gmane.technology.erps
Message-ID	<[email protected]>

On Fri, 31 Dec 2004 [email protected] wrote:
> Would there be any way to use Hubbles existing solar arrays with all 
> nonessential components turned off to power an ion engine?

Possible in principle, but it would further limit thrust, because Hubble's
arrays are not really all that big by ion-engine standards.

> involve another human visit to Hubble, as I'm sure the power cables 
> couldn't be tapped into with any near term robot design.

Yep, that one would be complicated.

                                                          Henry Spencer
                                                       [email protected]