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Robert K asked in Science & MathematicsPhysics · 1 decade ago

Hubble telescope?

The Hubble telescope has been in service for about 15 years now. It comes to mind that it must be aimed at different points in the sky. How is this done? does it have small jets that aim it? Does this mean that it has a fuel supply that will run out and needs to be replenished?

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  • 1 decade ago
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    I took a look at the site above, and under the Maneuvering and Pointing section it actually says the Hubble uses "electrically driven reaction wheels" to change position. This makes more sense than small jets since electricity is generated by the solar panels. Therefore, no refueling is necessary.

    I'm no expert on reaction wheels, but using Newton's Third law that every action produces an equal and opposite reaction, I can figure out how they must work. When Hubble spins a mass in one direction, the reaction force causes the telescope to spin in the other direction.

  • 1 decade ago

    nasa said that next three years would be last years for hubble nasa would be replacing it with their new telescope the hobner which is under construction noy!!!!!!

    and hubble does not have any jets it uses solar power to generate electricity and which controvates in its orbit and it is similar to electropresipitating .

    Source(s): NASA.gov
  • 1 decade ago

    it has small orbital correction jets and yes they will eventually need to replace that fuel

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