James Webb Space Telescope Had Primary Mirror Successfully Installed

This week NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) passed a major milestone – the complete assembly of its primary mirror. Making use of a state-of-the-art robotic arm, the technicians managed to fit in the last section of the telescope’s primary mirror. All the 18 mirrors will function together as a single unit of 21.3-foot diameter (6.5-meter) instrument after it is fully deployed in space.

“Scientists and engineers have been working tirelessly to install these incredible, almost flawless mirrors that will focus light from previously hidden realms of planetary atmospheres, star forming regions and the very beginnings of the Universe”, said John Grunsfeld, associate administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate in Washington.

Further construction remains to be completed-and the components of the James Webb telescope must be tested to ensure the construct can survive a launch-which is now for October of 2018.

Often touted as the Hubble Space Telescope’s successor, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) will actually work at longer wavelengths than its famous cousin: from the long-wavelength end of the visual spectrum into the infrared regime.

James Webb Space Telescope’s 18th and final mirror was installed, which marks a significant moment in bringing the powerful telescope closer to being ready for space.

The gold-plated Webb’s mirrors have been designed by Colorado-based Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corporation while Harris Corporation handled the installation.

“Audacious” probably isn’t the right word, but the James Webb Space Telescope will be making some important observations, including studies into the formation of galaxies, stars, and planets. The scientists working on the project stated that the telescope’s chassis must be kept quite cold, outside hull temperature must be under -220 degrees Celsius all the time.

The next steps for the assembly team include installation of the secondary mirror and the aft optics assembly.

“Near-Earth Objects are potential space resources and the James Webb Space Telescope will be one of the best tools to identify these resources that will help humanity expand beyond the Earth into our Solar System”, said PSI Research Scientist Vishnu Reddy, a co-author on the paper.

The JWST is joint project of NASA, the European Space Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. Harris Corporation leads integration and testing for the telescope. Tests will be conducted at the Goddard Space Center after which the space telescope will be carried to the Johnson Space Center for final testing.