Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe cover image

How do space telescopes point themselves?

Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe

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How to Turn Your Telescope Without Using Propellers

Usually satellites and spacecraft have rockets, right? Or at least some sort of like an high-on engine. And the crucial thing here is conservation of momentum. If you need mass to do it, then eventually you're going to run out because you can only bring a limited amount of mass. So the goal is to figure out a way to turn your telescope without using some kind of propellant.

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