Yesterday we commanded all 132 motors on Webb’s primary & secondary mirrors to move them for the first time in space! #UnfoldTheUniverse
In today’s blog, @SpaceTelescope’s deputy telescope scientist Marshall Perrin takes us through a deep dive: blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2022/01/1…👇
In today’s blog, @SpaceTelescope’s deputy telescope scientist Marshall Perrin takes us through a deep dive: blogs.nasa.gov/webb/2022/01/1…👇
https://twitter.com/NASAWebb/status/1481367267694850049
🚀 The Ride to Space
Each of Webb’s mirror segments has 3 metal pegs on its back, which fit snugly into matching sockets in the telescope structure. During launch, the mirrors were tucked safe and sound.
Each of Webb’s mirror segments has 3 metal pegs on its back, which fit snugly into matching sockets in the telescope structure. During launch, the mirrors were tucked safe and sound.
Tiny Dancers 🩰
Over about 10 days, each mirror segment will move out by 12.5 mm (about half an inch) to get the pegs clear from the sockets. It may not sound like much, but these initial moves are actually the largest moves Webb’s mirror motors will ever make in space!
Over about 10 days, each mirror segment will move out by 12.5 mm (about half an inch) to get the pegs clear from the sockets. It may not sound like much, but these initial moves are actually the largest moves Webb’s mirror motors will ever make in space!
🐢 Slow and Steady
The mirror control system is designed to operate only 1 motor at a time to keep things both simple and safe. To limit any heat put into Webb’s super cold mirrors, each motor is also only operated for a short time at once.
The mirror control system is designed to operate only 1 motor at a time to keep things both simple and safe. To limit any heat put into Webb’s super cold mirrors, each motor is also only operated for a short time at once.
At full speed, it takes about a day to move all the segments by just 1 millimeter — about the same speed at which grass grows! 🌱
While this may not be the most exciting period for Webb, taking our time is how we’ll get closer each day to our goal of mirror alignment.
While this may not be the most exciting period for Webb, taking our time is how we’ll get closer each day to our goal of mirror alignment.
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