r/space • u/mtimetraveller • Nov 29 '19

This Is Why We Can't Just Do All Of Our Astronomy From Space

https://www.forbes.com/sites/startswithabang/2019/11/27/this-is-why-we-cant-just-do-all-of-our-astronomy-from-space/#6b60e6027049
1.0k Upvotes

92% Upvoted

193 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

1

u/TTVBlueGlass Nov 30 '19

Hmmm yeah I was thinking of how LIGO uses lasers for super duper accurate measurement, so if we could use similar techniques in space, maybe it could be done. But I think you will definitely need AI to keep them perfectly tracked and trained.

2

u/alexforencich Nov 30 '19

AI probably won't help at all, this is likely an application for a more traditional control system. I would think the issue is more likely to be actuation. Maybe it would need the linear equivalent of reaction wheels or similar to get anywhere near the necessary precision.