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Space Telescope Designer

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Designing a space telescope is an incredibly complex job, with many requirements that must be met. Some of these are because of the scientific discoveries that the astronomers would like to make, while others are due to limits that the engineers put on the spacecraft.

Beginning in the 1990s, astronomers and engineers around the world were busy designing the Herschel Space Observatory. This activity will help you explore the kinds of decisions they made as you design your own space telescope. You will need:

Intermediate

Advanced