The James Webb Space Telescope is about to be tucked into a massive space simulator as part of its testing to ensure it can survive the harsh orbital environment. The telescope is the next-generation planet-hunter, intended to check exoplanetary atmospheres for signs of life.
https://gizmodo.com/the-next-generation-of-telescopes-will-take-us-closer-t-1606314839
Top image: Support structure being installed in NASA’s Chamber A for testing the James Webb Space Telescope. Credit: NASA/Chis Gunn
The Integrated Science Instrument Module undergoing testing in a thermal vacuum chamber. Image credit: NASA/Chris Gunn
We’ve previously seen some amazing shots from the telescope under assembly — a massive spine that will support the entire structure, a sunshield that dwarfs the puny humans around it, and a gorgeous set of mirrors that will make the science happen. Since last time we checked in on it, the heart of the telescope wasboxed up and rotated around to in a gravity sag test, making sure it was structurally sound in all directions, and dropped in a deep-freeze to check that everything would function in the blackness of space.
https://gizmodo.com/these-mirrors-are-part-of-the-biggest-origami-space-tel-1641546652
https://gizmodo.com/elegant-space-origami-is-awkward-to-test-on-earth-1641543594
https://gizmodo.com/this-spacecraft-spine-will-support-an-entire-telescope-1623524290
The Integrated Science Instrument Module cubed up and spun around in a cleanroom. Image credit: NASA/Chris Gunn
But now the telescope is about to undergo a much harsher test: time in the oversized thermal vacuum chamber, Chamber A, previously used to stress-test spacecraft for crewed space missions. It’s now being swarmed by engineers and technicians loading in lifts and structures to support the James Webb Space Telescope for testing.
A practice version of the James Webb Space Telescope fully assembled prior to assembling the real deal. Image credit: NASA/Chris Gunn
Mega-machines are inherently amazing. Mega-machines that have something to do with space are just flat-out awesome.
