The Raaymakers Family

Just a thought, but why does a journalist describe a satellite or space telescope/probe by giving it's dimensions and weight ie "1 ton" when it's in space. Dimensions apply but weight does not. Weight is the amount of influence gravity has on an object. This varies depend on how far an object is from the source of gravity. Mass applies in space but not earthly weight measurements. It may have weighed a ton here on earth, but in open space it is weightless unless an object is in orbit, then it does weigh something as it is under gravitational influence. If not for this influence the objects forward momentum would not be effected. But we cannot measure that. Unfortunately the standard unit of measurement for mass in space is Solar Mass, as in the mass of our star, the Sun. So to give a measure of mass to our satellites and space telescopes/probes is cumbersome as it would a very large negative number. Science needs to come up with a better way to measure mass in space if it needs to be able to measure the mass of cosmic objects much smaller than the Sun.  I'm Just Saying!