Timeline of the James Webb Space Telescope

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The first six primary mirror segments being prepared for final cryogenic acceptance testing, 2011 James Webb Primary Mirror.jpg
The first six primary mirror segments being prepared for final cryogenic acceptance testing, 2011
The 18 main mirror segments for JWST in special shipping cans, 2012 Yes, the James Webb Space Telescope Mirrors 'Can' (7986235455).jpg
The 18 main mirror segments for JWST in special shipping cans, 2012
Backplane being transported to California, 2013 The James Webb Space Telescope's 'Backplane' Leaves NASA Marshall.jpg
Backplane being transported to California, 2013
Vacuum Chamber A prepared for the James Webb Space Telescope, 2014 Vacuum Chamber A with Clean Room for James Webb Telescope.jpg
Vacuum Chamber A prepared for the James Webb Space Telescope, 2014
Main mirror assembled, May 2016 James Webb Space Telescope Revealed (26832090085).jpg
Main mirror assembled, May 2016

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is an international 21st-century space observatory that was launched on 25 December 2021. [1] [2] It is intended to be the premier observatory of the 2020s, combining the largest mirror yet on a near-infrared space telescope with a suite of technologically advanced instruments from around the world. [3]

Contents

The telescope is designed to last at least five and a half years (six months calibration plus five years science operations), but with a goal of ten years. [4] The limiting factor is expected to be fuel to maintain its halo orbit, of which there is enough for at least ten years. [4]

It was announced in December 2021 that due to the accuracy of the orbital insertion and course correction burns, the telescope had more fuel available than originally planned and could operate for "significantly" longer than the original ten year planned life span. [5]

JWST cost approximately $10 billion in its design, construction, and five years of operations (does not include extended mission funding), as well as international contributions. [6] [7]

Timeline of selected events

Pre-launch plans

After-launch

After-launch deployment

Nearly a month after launch, a trajectory correction was initiated to place the James Webb Space Telescope into a halo orbit at L2. [48] [49] Its next five months were spent cooling NIRCam and the Mid-Infrared Instrument down further, aligning and calibrating its mirrors while focusing on HD 84406, a bright star in the constellation Ursa Major, and testing the instruments. [50] [51] [52] [53]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hubble Space Telescope</span> NASA/ESA space telescope launched in 1990

The Hubble Space Telescope is a space telescope that was launched into low Earth orbit in 1990 and remains in operation. It was not the first space telescope, but it is one of the largest and most versatile, renowned as a vital research tool and as a public relations boon for astronomy. The Hubble telescope is named after astronomer Edwin Hubble and is one of NASA's Great Observatories. The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) selects Hubble's targets and processes the resulting data, while the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) controls the spacecraft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Telescope Science Institute</span> Science operations center operated by NASA

The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) is the science operations center for the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), science operations and mission operations center for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), and science operations center for the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope. STScI was established in 1981 as a community-based science center that is operated for NASA by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). STScI's offices are located on the Johns Hopkins University Homewood Campus and in the Rotunda building in Baltimore, Maryland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Webb Space Telescope</span> NASA/ESA/CSA space telescope launched in 2021

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a space telescope designed to conduct infrared astronomy. Its high-resolution and high-sensitivity instruments allow it to view objects too old, distant, or faint for the Hubble Space Telescope. This enables investigations across many fields of astronomy and cosmology, such as observation of the first stars and the formation of the first galaxies, and detailed atmospheric characterization of potentially habitable exoplanets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Segmented mirror</span> Array of smaller mirrors designed to act as one large curved mirror

A segmented mirror is an array of smaller mirrors designed to act as segments of a single large curved mirror. The segments can be either spherical or asymmetric. They are used as objectives for large reflecting telescopes. To function, all the mirror segments have to be polished to a precise shape and actively aligned by a computer-controlled active optics system using actuators built into the mirror support cell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope</span> NASA infrared space telescope

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a NASA infrared space telescope in development and scheduled to launch by May 2027.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NIRSpec</span> Spectrograph on the James Webb Space Telescope

The NIRSpec is one of the four scientific instruments flown on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The JWST is the follow-on mission to the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and is developed to receive more information about the origins of the universe by observing infrared light from the first stars and galaxies. In comparison to HST, its instruments will allow looking further back in time and will study the so-called Dark Ages during which the universe was opaque, about 150 to 800 million years after the Big Bang.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph</span> Canadian aligner and spectrometer on JWST

Fine Guidance Sensor and Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (FGS-NIRISS) is an instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) that combines a Fine Guidance Sensor and a science instrument, a near-infrared imager and a spectrograph. The FGS/NIRISS was designed by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and built by Honeywell as part of an international project to build a large infrared space telescope with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA). FGS-NIRISS observes light from the wavelengths of 0.8 to 5.0 microns. The instrument has four different observing modes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Integrated Science Instrument Module</span> Part of the James Webb Space Telescope

Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) is a component of the James Webb Space Telescope, a large international infrared space telescope launched on 25 December 2021. ISIM is the heart of the JWST, and holds the main science payload which includes four science instruments and the fine guidance sensor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Optical Telescope Element</span> Subsection of the James Webb Space Telescope

Optical Telescope Element (OTE) is a sub-section of the James Webb Space Telescope, a large infrared space telescope launched on 25 December 2021, consisting of its main mirror, secondary mirrors, the framework and controls to support the mirrors, and various thermal and other systems.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">NIRCam</span> Imaging instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope

NIRCam is an instrument aboard the James Webb Space Telescope. It has two major tasks, as an imager from 0.6 to 5 μm wavelength, and as a wavefront sensor to keep the 18-section mirrors functioning as one. In other words, it is a camera and is also used to provide information to align the 18 segments of the primary mirror. It is an infrared camera with ten mercury-cadmium-telluride (HgCdTe) detector arrays, and each array has an array of 2048×2048 pixels. The camera has a field of view of 2.2×2.2 arcminutes with an angular resolution of 0.07 arcseconds at 2 μm. NIRCam is also equipped with coronagraphs, which helps to collect data on exoplanets near stars. It helps with imaging anything next to a much brighter object, because the coronagraph blocks that light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mid-Infrared Instrument</span> Camera and spectrometer on the James Webb Space Telescope

MIRI, or the Mid-Infrared Instrument, is an instrument on the James Webb Space Telescope. MIRI is a camera and a spectrograph that observes mid to long infrared radiation from 5 to 28 microns. It also has coronagraphs, especially for observing exoplanets. Whereas most of the other instruments on Webb can see from the start of near infrared, or even as short as orange visible light, MIRI can see longer wavelength light.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Webb Space Telescope sunshield</span> Main cooling system for the infrared observatory

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) sunshield is a passive thermal control system deployed post-launch to shield the telescope and instrumentation from the light and heat of the Sun, Earth, and Moon. By keeping the telescope and instruments in permanent shadow, it allows them to cool to their design temperature of 40 kelvins. Its intricate deployment was successfully completed on January 4, 2022, ten days after launch, when it was more than 0.8 million kilometers (500,000 mi) away from Earth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Spacecraft bus (James Webb Space Telescope)</span> Part of the James Webb Space Telescope

The spacecraft bus is a carbon fibre box that houses systems of the telescope and so is the primary support element of the James Webb Space Telescope, launched on 25 December 2021. It hosts a multitude of computing, communication, propulsion, and structural components. The other three elements of the JWST are the Optical Telescope Element (OTE), the Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) and the sunshield. Region 3 of ISIM is also inside the spacecraft bus. Region 3 includes the ISIM Command and Data Handling subsystem and the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) cryocooler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">OTE Pathfinder</span>

The OTE Pathfinder, or James Webb Space Telescope Pathfinder, is a technology demonstrator and test article for the James Webb Space Telescope. It is a non-flight replica of the actual backplane, but only includes the center section, not the two "wings" on the side that extend and have additional segments on the actual JWST. It has been used for various tests and has some different configurations, but some of the major tests have been practicing installing mirror segments with non-flight hardware as well as thermal tests. The Pathfinder has also been tested in conjunction with flight hardware including the Aft Optics System. One of the goals and uses of the pathfinder is risk reduction for JWST program. The pathfinder allows practicing integration and testing procedures, and for risk mitigation With the Pathfinder it was possible to test phasing two mirrors together and also to do tests with the Aft Optical System. The OTE Pathfinder was part of the plan for integration and testing of JWST, and in particular supported the Optical Telescope Element.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020s in spaceflight</span> Spaceflight-related events during the 2020s

This article documents expected notable spaceflight events during the 2020s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ariane flight VA256</span> 2021 rocket launch; placed the James Webb Space Telescope into orbit

Ariane flight VA256 was an Ariane 5 rocket flight that launched the James Webb Space Telescope into space on 25 December 2021. It was 2021's final Ariane flight, its most valuable payload to date, and the 256th Ariane mission. The launch was described by NASA as "flawless" and "perfect".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Webb's First Deep Field</span> First operational image from NASAs James Webb Space Telescope

Webb's First Deep Field is the first operational image taken by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The deep-field photograph, which covers a tiny area of sky visible from the Southern Hemisphere, is centered on SMACS 0723, a galaxy cluster in the constellation of Volans. Thousands of galaxies are visible in the image, some as old as 13 billion years. The image is the highest-resolution image of the early universe ever taken. Captured by the telescope's Near-Infrared Camera (NIRCam), the image was revealed to the public by NASA on 11 July 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Launch and commissioning of the James Webb Space Telescope</span>

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a space telescope designed primarily to conduct infrared astronomy. Its complex launch and commissioning process lasted from late 2021 until mid-2022.

References

  1. ↑ "NASA Sets Coverage, Invites Public to View Webb Telescope Launch". nasa.gov. 17 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  2. 1 2 "New JWST launch update". NASA.gov. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.
  3. 1 2 3 "The James Webb Space Telescope". Explore James Webb Space Telescope. NASA. Archived from the original on 1 June 2006. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "The James Webb Space Telescope". www.asu.edu.
  5. ↑ "NASA Says Webb's Excess Fuel Likely to Extend its Lifetime Expectations – James Webb Space Telescope". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
  6. 1 2 "Manufacturing Issues Plague James Webb Space Telescope". SpaceNews. 15 November 2014.
  7. ↑ Witze, Alexandra (27 March 2018). "NASA reveals major delay for $11.23-billion Hubble successor". Bibcode:2018Natur.556...11W. doi:10.1038/d41586-018-03863-5 . Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  8. 1 2 "About James Webb". NASA. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  9. ↑ "Nexus Space Telescope". MIT.
  10. ↑ "Multidisciplinary Analysis of the NEXUS Precursor Space Telescope" (PDF).
  11. ↑ "TRW Selected as JWST Prime Contractor". STCI. 11 September 2003. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 13 January 2012.
  12. ↑ "JWST Passes NTAR". STScI. Archived from the original on 5 August 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2008.
  13. ↑ "NASA's Webb Telescope Passes Key Mission Design Review Milestone". NASA. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  14. ↑ McKie, Robin (9 July 2011). "Nasa fights to save the James Webb space telescope from the axe". The Guardian. London.
  15. ↑ "Appropriations Committee Releases the Fiscal Year 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations". US House of representatives Committee on Appropriations. 6 July 2011.
  16. ↑ "US lawmakers vote to kill Hubble successor". SpaceDaily. 7 July 2011.
  17. ↑ "Proposed NASA Budget Bill Would Cancel Major Space Telescope". Space.com. 6 July 2011.
  18. ↑ "NASA budget plan saves telescope, cuts space taxis". Reuters. 16 November 2011.
  19. ↑ "Europe delivers first JWST instrument". sci.esa.int. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  20. ↑ GMS, NASA's (11 March 2013). "GMS: FGS/NIRISS Installation into the ISIM Structure". svs.gsfc.nasa.gov.
  21. ↑ "ESA Science & Technology - MIRI installed in ISIM". sci.esa.int.
  22. ↑ "Lockheed Martin Readies One of the Most Sensitive IR Instruments Ever Made for NASA Telescope". Media - Lockheed Martin.
  23. ↑ "NIRSpec is integrated into ISIM". sci.esa.int. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  24. ↑ "ESA Science & Technology - #07: Summer 2014 - first combined test of all four instruments". sci.esa.int.
  25. ↑ "ESA Science & Technology - ESA confirms James Webb telescope Ariane launch". sci.esa.int.
  26. ↑ "NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Primary Mirror Fully Assembled". NASA.gov. 3 February 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2016.
  27. ↑ Jenner, Lynn (21 March 2016). "NASA Marks Major Milestones for the James Webb Space Telescope". NASA. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  28. ↑ Jenner, Lynn (7 March 2016). "NASA's James Webb Space Telescope Secondary Mirror Installed". NASA. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  29. ↑ "GMS: JWST Aft-Optics System (AOS) Installed at GSFC". 14 April 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  30. ↑ "Nasa begins testing enormous space telescope made of gold mirrors". The Guardian. 4 November 2016.
  31. ↑ "No damage to JWST after vibration test anomaly". SpaceNews.com. 23 December 2016. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  32. ↑ "James Webb Space Telescope, NASA's next Hubble, delayed again". CNET. 27 March 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  33. 1 2 "Jim Bridenstine on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 28 June 2018.
  34. 1 2 "NASA Announces New James Webb Space Telescope Target Launch Date". nasa.gov. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
  35. 1 2 Berger, Eric (1 June 2021). "Webb telescope launch date slips again". Ars Technica . Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  36. 1 2 "About Webb Launch - NASA". ESA. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
  37. ↑ "NASA Provides Update on Webb Telescope Launch – James Webb Space Telescope". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 23 November 2021.
  38. ↑ "Communications problem delays JWST launch". SpaceNews. 15 December 2021.
  39. ↑ "James Webb Space Telescope Launch Update – James Webb Space Telescope". blogs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 22 December 2021.
  40. ↑ "Webb Telemetry Received – James Webb Space Telescope". blogs.nasa.gov.
  41. ↑ "JWST launch slips to early 2019 – Spaceflight Now". spaceflightnow.com. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
  42. ↑ "NASA Delays Launch of James Webb Space Telescope Until 2020". Space.com. Retrieved 27 March 2018.
  43. ↑ "Update on Webb telescope launch". NASA. 14 December 2021. Retrieved 21 December 2021.PD-icon.svg This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain .
  44. ↑ "Deployment Explorer". webb.nasa.gov.
  45. ↑ "The Launch - Webb/NASA". jwst.nasa.gov.
  46. 1 2 "Orbit - Webb/NASA". jwst.nasa.gov.
  47. ↑ "FAQ Full General Public Webb Telescope/NASA". jwst.nasa.gov.
  48. ↑ "James Webb Space Telescope – The First 30 Days After Launch". News Ledge. 3 March 2017. Retrieved 30 May 2017.
  49. ↑ Romo, Vanessa (24 January 2022). "The James Webb telescope reaches its final destination in space, a million miles away". NPR. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  50. ↑ Boyle, Alan (24 January 2022). "Webb Telescope fires thrusters to settle in at destination, a million miles from Earth". GeekWire. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  51. ↑ Grush, Loren (25 January 2022). "What's next for NASA's James Webb Space Telescope now that it's reached its parking spot". The Verge. Vox Media LLC. Retrieved 25 January 2022.
  52. ↑ Gardner, Jonathan; Milam, Stefanie; Fisher, Alise (17 March 2022). "Webb Begins Multi-Instrument Alignment – James Webb Space Telescope". blogs.nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  53. ↑ Gardner, Jonathan; Lockwood, Alexandra; Fisher, Alise (10 February 2022). "Webb Is Chilling Out – James Webb Space Telescope". blogs.nasa.gov. NASA. Retrieved 20 March 2022.
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