Re:25-Dec. Shout-out to everyone else at work
by dnautics on Saturday December 25, 2021 @05:31PM
(#29687621)
Is that the case for an orbit around the earth-sun Lagrange point? It seems like anytime should be GTG
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Re:25-Dec. Shout-out to everyone else at work
by sandworm101 on Saturday December 25, 2021 @05:49PM
(#29687764)
True. I don't think this is an orbital launch window thing. Rather, the date seemed to be driven by operational necessities (range safety, weather, the practicalities of getting the rocket ready etc).
Re:25-Dec. Shout-out to everyone else at work
by jonas21 on Saturday December 25, 2021 @11:30PM
(#29689688)
I believe the launch windows are fairly constrained due to the precise positioning requirements as well as the requirement to avoid eclipses throughout the lifetime of the telescope. This study [1] was for a planned 2018 launch, but I'm sure there were similar constraints in this time period too.
In addition, the fuel required to position the spacecraft varies a lot depending on the day - and any fuel saved can be used to prolong the operational lifetime of the telescope.