Like a huge technological flower, the spatial telescope James Webb has fully open its vast mirror for the last time, while remaining in the ground, with the hexagonal range of reflectors configured with flavored precision for a last test before the launch of the instrument more Late in 2021. Configuring a supplier Hubble as NASA, ESA, and the preaming sky of the CSA, Webb is intended to give scientists an unprecedented infrared view of the Universe.
After its launch, the spatial telescope is designed to position itself in a halogen orbit at the second point of Lagrange (L2) of the Earth-Sun system. 930,000 miles from the earth and directly in front of the sun, it will be the ideal place to see the deepest galaxies nearby and observe much older stars than Hubble or the Spitzer Space telescope.
Before it may happen, of course, Webb must be launched and raises a huge logistical challenge. The telescope rests on a huge mirror – more than 24 feet of nickname – for its incredible optics, divided into 18 hexagonal pieces. It is an engineering feat in itself, but it also leaves the instrument simply too big to fit into any current rocket.
The answer also turned the spatial telescope in transformer. Designed to fold in such a way that it can be split in a 16-foot rocket, it then rests on 132 actuators and motors to extend its wings, then position, bend and flex each mirror in its final order.
Indeed, no small part of the global challenge involved in the construction of the telescope would not reach all these pieces to work properly. After all, unlike Hubble where post-launch patches could address optical problems, there is no way that astronauts reach the WebB should not be wrong once it has left the ground.
This new test, then, was a big obstacle before the Webb team can be convinced that the spatial telescope is ready for its large deployment. Just as this will be the case once deployed, the control instructions have been published from the Northrop Grumman, CA, which manages the tests of the instrument. Severity compensation equipment has been attached to the telescope itself, in order to better reproduce the environment it will meet.
“It’s not just the final deployment test sequence that the team fired to prepare Webb for a life in space, but it means that the main mirror will be locked in place for launch”, “Lee Feinberg , Element Manager optical telescope for Webb at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, said the historical test. “It is humble to think about the hundreds of devoted people throughout the country that worked so difficult to design and build The main mirror and now that the launch is so close. “
With that away, the team can start the latest checks on the task list. This includes test extensions and retractions of telescope radiator assemblies – that help dissipate heat – and the same for its deployable tower. The latter is responsible for separating the mirrors and instruments of the spatial bus telescope, adding vital insulation of heat and vibration.
Later this year, Webb – and his luxury servo – will be packed in an ariane 5 rocket in front of his launch. This should arrive in October 2021.
