What is a key benefit of the modular instrument design used on the telescope?
Answer
It allows the mission to evolve and become more capable over time
The use of modular instrument design ensures that the scientific capabilities of the telescope are not permanently locked in at the moment of launch. As technology advances and new, more powerful spectrographs or cameras are invented, they can be swapped out to replace older, less efficient models. This operational strategy effectively allows the telescope to age in reverse, continuously gaining improved performance rather than becoming obsolete as the years progress.
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