Space Telescopes Maneuver like CATS - Smarter Every Day 59

TL;DR

Space telescopes use various methods to point at stars, including rockets, torque rods, and flipping cat physics.

Transcript

[ music ] Hey it's me Destin welcome back to Smarter Every Day. So you're probably well aware of the awesome science that comes out of space telescopes, but what you might not be aware of is the awesome science that goes into making these things work. For instance check out this NASA photo. These guys are working on the sun shield for the James Web... Read More

Key Insights

• 🔯 The science behind space telescopes is not limited to observing stars but also involves the complex mechanisms for pointing and focusing on specific objects.
• 😥 Rockets, torque rods, and flipping cat physics are three methods used to enable space telescopes to turn and point.
• 🎮 Reaction wheels and control moment gyros are devices that control the rotation of space telescopes by managing momentum.
• 👾 The physics of flipping cats is the basis for taking photos with space telescopes, as it enables changing rotation without violating angular momentum conservation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How do space telescopes point at stars without using rockets?

Space telescopes can use torque rods, which create an electromagnetic field to interact with Earth's magnetic field, allowing for rotation without the need for fuel-consuming rockets.

Q: How do flipping cats relate to space telescopes?

Flipping cat physics allows for changing the overall rotation of a system, like a space telescope, without violating the conservation of angular momentum. This special system enables space telescopes to take photos of stars and other celestial objects.

Q: What are reaction wheels and how do they work?

Reaction wheels are devices with multiple spinning wheels inside a spacecraft. By speeding up or slowing down the wheels at specific times, engineers can manipulate the spacecraft's rotation and keep the space telescope pointed at a desired object.

Q: What is a control moment gyro?

A control moment gyro (CMG) is a device used in space satellites to manage momentum. Unlike reaction wheels, CMGs can rotate their axes, requiring more complex mathematical calculations. CMGs allow satellites and telescopes to change their rotation in specific trajectories.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Space telescopes require precise pointing mechanisms to observe stars. Rockets can be used, but they are limited by fuel and can end the mission. Torque rods create an electromagnetic field to interact with Earth's magnetic field. Flipping cat physics allows rotation without violating the conservation of angular momentum.

• Reaction wheels are used to keep space telescopes pointed at specific stars by manipulating the rotation of multiple spinning wheels inside the spacecraft.

• The attitude control components lab at NASA tests and develops devices like control moment gyros to manage momentum and allow space telescopes to point and focus on desired objects.