The most powerful telescope ever to be launched into space is safely on its way to it's destination.
On Christmas morning, the most expensive robotic spacecraft ever to be built by humans launched on a mission to space. It is named after former NASA administrator James Webb, and is the most powerful telescope ever launched into space. The telescope is a collaboration between NASA (the American space agency), ESA (the European space agency), and CSA (the Canadian space agency). It is capable of seeing infrared light and is far more powerful than its predecessor, the Hubble Space Telescope. After being delayed for decades, the telescope has finally reached space, but its not out of the woods yet.
Launch
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana on December 25th. The two-stage rocket lifted off at 7:20am and successfully deployed the 6,200kg telescope 27 minutes after launch. A few minutes later it's solar array deployed, giving JWST a source of power. That was the first in a series of extremely complicated deployments that all need to go right before the science can begin. [1]
Deployment
The James Webb Space Telescope is far to large to fit inside a rocket's fairing, so it was designed to be folded up and deployed in space. The deployment is designed so that it can be paused at any time if mission controllers detect a problem. The deployment will use about 140 release mechanisms and 400 pulleys. If anything doesn't go well than the mission could come to an early conclusion. This deployment is the riskiest part of the mission. NASA will not be able to send humans to fix JWST and a robotic space probe would be very expensive, would take years to develop, and might not even be able to fix a problem. You can watch an animation of the unfolding process in the video below. [2]
Within the first 3 days of launch a few critical events happened. A few minutes after seperating from the Ariane 5 rocket the solar array was deployed. This will provide power for the entirety of its mission. The first mid-course correction maneuver was performed a few hours later. This was followed by the gimbaled antenna assembly on December 26th, which allowed for better communications with Earth. [3]
A second mid-course correction maneuver occured before deployment of the sunshield began on December 28th. The sunshield is one of the most complicated and important components of the James Webb Space Telescope. The 5-layer sunshield is made of kapton and will keep JWST's scientific instruments extremely cold. If the sunshield does not unfold properly, than the telescope will not be able to operate. As of December 30th, the deployment of the sunshield continues to go well and is happening on schedule. [4]
The aft momentum flap, which unfolded beneath the rear of the sunshield, deployed on December 30th. This important piece prevents the sunshield from acting like a solar sail, and will decrease the amount of fuel the JWST has to use to maintain its orbit. [5]
You can follow along with the deployments on NASA's blog or on NASA's "Where is Webb" page.
After deployment
The deployment is only the first part of JWST's 6-month commissioning phase. It will take weeks for the telescope to become cold enough for its scientific instruments to operate properly. Then the telescopes mirrors and scientific instruments will need to be aligned and calibrated. After additional testing of the telescopes capabilities it will begin its scientific work. [6]
If all goes well we should get a "first light" image in the spring of next year. JWST will be able to detect some of the universe's first galaxies. The telescope will also study exoplanets, planets that are orbiting other stars, and could detect what chemicals are in their atmospheres. In addition, the telescope will study black holes, the planets in our solar system, and faint stars.
The telescope was filled with enough fuel to last for 10 years, but because the Ariane 5 rocket performed precisely how it was supposed to, NASA thinks the telescope will have enough fuel to last for much longer than that! Good job Arianespace! [7]
This telescope could revolutionize our understanding of the universe. It is a milestone in our quest for knowledge. As I write these words we know of no life that didn't originate from Earth. This telescope could change that fact.
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