LUVOIR was just downgraded from 15.1 meters to 6 meters in the decadal survey: The Guide for the Next Decade of Space Research Just Dropped | WIRED
This telescope by their estimates will not launch till the 2040s, but they think dropping the size will push it to early 2040 instead of late 2040. Even just an increase to 8 meters would almost double the amount of planets it could see while still looking tiny inside starship.
$11 billion satellites make launch costs seem irrelevant, but in practice the launcher dictates the satellite's price. Cheaper materials can be used because weight is less important, simpler designs can be used because size is less important, and cheaper components can be used because they can be replaced. The Hubble Space telescope was "engineered to perfection" yet still needed a billion dollar repair + multiple service missions. By launching a satellite and either planning on servicing missions or planning on sending multiple, costs can be significantly decreased.
TLDR: stop optimizing space telescopes in the wrong ways.
This telescope by their estimates will not launch till the 2040s, but they think dropping the size will push it to early 2040 instead of late 2040. Even just an increase to 8 meters would almost double the amount of planets it could see while still looking tiny inside starship.
We asked and @SpaceX checked. The #LUVOIR space telescope concept can indeed fly on Starship! (graphic used by permission) pic.twitter.com/ZVz9CbAp3F
— NASA Goddard (@NASAGoddard) April 11, 2019
$11 billion satellites make launch costs seem irrelevant, but in practice the launcher dictates the satellite's price. Cheaper materials can be used because weight is less important, simpler designs can be used because size is less important, and cheaper components can be used because they can be replaced. The Hubble Space telescope was "engineered to perfection" yet still needed a billion dollar repair + multiple service missions. By launching a satellite and either planning on servicing missions or planning on sending multiple, costs can be significantly decreased.
TLDR: stop optimizing space telescopes in the wrong ways.
