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Re:James Webb Space Telescope Launch Postponed by rozab on Wednesday December 22, 2021 @03:12PM (#29654406)
Others have explained how power is not the issue, but also RTGs are not a cure-all. This whole sunshade thing is necessary to shield the sensitive electronics from the heat and radiation of the sun - putting an active radiation source on board would present huge problems for the same reasons.

RTGs are also very heavy and do not generate much power; they are useful for the outer solar system because solar power is not viable there due to the inverse square law. At this distance from the sun, solar is a no-brainer.

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