James Webb Space Telescope

Beeker · 15-09-2011 6:45am #1

Finally some good news for the troubled james Webb Space telescope. JWST:)
http://news.discovery.com/space/james-webb-space-telescope-saved-110914.html#mkcpgn=rssnws1

Rubecula · 15-09-2011 3:27pm

The JWT is something special. If we can look back at Hubble and see how much it has changed our view of the universe, we can only imagine what this space telescope will be capable of. I can't wait.

namloc1980 · 15-09-2011 7:21pm

While the JWST is an awesome project, it seems likely that money will be cut from other NASA programs such as planetary exploration missions which is not good news.

namloc1980 · 21-11-2011 11:55pm

JWT has been saved for at least another year as the 2012 NASA budget has been approved and signed off. Link

The good news is that it got an additional $530m to keep it ticking along for the next year however the bad news is that $380m will have to be cut from other missions and programs to fund it.

_Tombstone_ · 17-08-2015 5:34am

Webbs Successor. Planning for a 2030 launch, the High Def Telescope.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/14/science/space/the-telescope-of-the-2030s.html?action=click&contentCollection=science&region=rank&module=package&version=highlights&contentPlacement=1&pgtype=sectionfront

josip · 31-03-2017 11:37am

More testing.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39420974

Which made me wonder. The amount of testing they're would be expected to reduce the risk of failure to what? 0.1%, 0.01%? I expect that they have some metric to measure test case coverage.

But to get it into space they have to put it on an Ariane 5 which has an 87/91 success rate (95.6%)

They really must hate launch day.

Beeker · 02-04-2017 2:58pm

josip wrote: »

More testing.
http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-39420974

Which made me wonder. The amount of testing they're would be expected to reduce the risk of failure to what? 0.1%, 0.01%? I expect that they have some metric to measure test case coverage.

But to get it into space they have to put it on an Ariane 5 which has an 87/91 success rate (95.6%)

They really must hate launch day.

Launch is always a tense time for any mission especially after years of work and testing. This telescope has received an enormous amount of testing and retesting because unlike Hubble it cannot be visited by astronauts to repair or upgrade. Once it goes up that's it, its on its own.

iguot · 04-04-2017 12:36am

This is a yoke some 3 lettered spy agency had left over, theirs heaps of them up their looking down already, to much faffing about getting this up. Someones cleaning up as usual.

Capt'n Midnight · 04-04-2017 7:42pm

iguot wrote: »

This is a yoke some 3 lettered spy agency had left over, theirs heaps of them up their looking down already, to much faffing about getting this up. Someones cleaning up as usual.

No, you are thinking of Hubble and the KH series.

iguot · 04-04-2017 8:50pm

Capt'n Midnight wrote: »

No, you are thinking of Hubble and the KH series.

It's actually the one after the james webb im thinking of, the WFIRST.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2016/02/18/nasa-moves-forward-with-mission-using-spy-satellite-telescope/

josip · 26-01-2018 3:33pm

JWST people won't have liked to hear about the anomaly and the "less than perfect" (wrong?) orbit

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42623297

Capt'n Midnight · 26-01-2018 5:56pm

josip wrote: »

JWST people won't have liked to hear about the anomaly and the "less than perfect" (wrong?) orbit

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-42623297

Control freaks.

It'll get there in the end :pac:

josip · 29-03-2018 12:09am

Well they won't have to worry about that until 2020 at the earliest now.
At this rate ITER will be up and running before it.
The more often I read about its size and the engineering needed to fold it up, the more nervous I get that there won't be a glitch of some sort.
No such concerns about TESS, Kepler's replacement though.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/03/28/us/tess-exoplanet-mission-nasa/index.html

Is there a thread about it already on here?
I'm surprised that it's gotten so close to the launch date without much publicity.
I suppose Space X have been hogging all the available airtime recently.

Rubecula · 29-03-2018 12:42am

all these delays

ThunderCat · 29-03-2018 10:48am

Rubecula wrote: »

all these delays

I don't mind as long as it gets up there ok and works. Sure the way the weeks and months fly by the revised launch date will be upon us before we know it.

josip · 29-03-2018 11:27am

ThunderCat wrote: »

I don't mind as long as it gets up there ok and works. Sure the way the weeks and months fly by the revised launch date will be upon us before we know it.

I went to see the mock up that was on display in Kilmainham in 2007, the year it was first supposed to launch.
I have been waiting patiently ever since.

slade_x · 13-04-2018 5:59am

Just noticed this posted.

NASA announces James Webb Space Telescope Independent Review Board members

NASA recently announced the formation of an external Independent Review Board for the space agency’s James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). The board will study a variety of factors impacting the mission’s success and reinforce NASA’s strategy for completing the observatory’s final integration and testing phase, launch phase and commissioning.

“We are exploring every aspect of Webb’s final testing and integration to ensure a successful mission.......................

Read more at http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/space-observatories/nasa-announces-james-webb-space-telescope-independent-review-board-members/#24glQGqJPcMbHmGs.99

................In March, NASA announced a delay of at least a six months from late 2019 to sometime in 2020 for the launch of the Webb telescope, citing the need for extensive testing and integration of its parts. The postponement could also increase the cost of the telescope beyond the congressionally mandated $8 billion cap. Should that happen, the project will need to get re-authorization by Congress

http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/space-observatories/nasa-announces-james-webb-space-telescope-independent-review-board-members/

On the Subject of New telescopes ahead the following may be of interest:

http://earthsky.org/space/up-and-coming-extremely-large-telescopes-webb

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is first on the list

European Extremely Large Telescope (E-ELT) - It’s expected to see first light in 2024.

Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) - First light for the GMT is estimated for 2023.

Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) - First light for the TMT might now come as early as the mid to late 2020s, There are already three other large telescopes on Maunakea. If the TMT’s planners and partners are unable to begin construction by April of 2018, the team says it might decide to abandon the location on Maunakea and instead begin construction at its backup site in the Canary Islands.

Josip007 · 20-04-2018 6:40am

[font=Open Sans, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Speaking to the young people in the audience, Dr. Tyson said, “If you’re 12 years old now, you’ll be our age by the time it happens, and then you will be carrying the torch.”[/font]

Josip007 · 25-04-2018 6:16pm

[font=Roboto, Arial, sans-serif]Incredible. I really hope it deploys without complications. I don't think I'm smart enough to understand the massive amount of effort and skill that went into constructing this beautiful observatory, but thanks for all your hard work people![/font]

Rubecula · 26-04-2018 3:04am

I think it was designed to be foldable by a computer with an origami program.

namloc1980 · 27-06-2018 9:29pm

Launch has been pushed back now to March 2021.

Rubecula · 28-06-2018 12:28am

it will never happen - cue conspiracy theorists

Capt'n Midnight · 28-06-2018 10:53pm

was supposed to launch in 2007

anyway's the delay is going to cost a billion more

“The cost of this delay (from 2018) is estimated by the IRB (Independent Review Board) to be $1 billion,” Young said in a conference call with reporters Wednesday. “This 29-month delay is caused by five factors: human errors, embedded problems, lack of experience in areas such as the sunshield, excessive optimism, and systems complexity.”

Looks like either Northrop Grumman screwed up royally or they are getting funding for black projects :pac:

In one example, technicians used the wrong solvent to clean propulsion valves on the spacecraft, damaging the sensitive components. Northrop Grumman should have checked with the supplier of the valves to ensure the cleaning agent was compatible, Young said.

Northrop Grumman’s team also applied excessive voltage to transducers, and improperly installed fasteners on Webb’s sunshield,
...

simple fixes that were not implemented, (which) resulted in approximately a one-and-a-half-year schedule delay and a cost of about $600 million.”

JupiterKid · 29-06-2018 6:26am

Even for big ticket NASA programmmes the delays with the JWST are completely ridiculous. At least over a decade now at this stage.

Consider this: from President JFKs announcement of an American manned moon mission to Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon with Apollo 11 was about 8 years.

Capt'n Midnight · 04-07-2018 6:38pm

Since delays should get less likely closer to the launch,
most astronomers in 2018 believed the expansion of the schedule was slowing,
but by early 2020 new measurements indicated that it was actually accelerating.

Rubecula · 05-07-2018 10:19am

not really the launch date is not fixed

josip · 19-12-2019 12:59pm

20-25 years in the making for a 5 year life span doesn't seem great to me.
If the helium supply is the only/main limiting factor, could they not have designed it to be topped up by a robotic supply vehicle?

Capt'n Midnight · 19-12-2019 1:26pm

Any truth in the rumour that it was only built with a folding mirror so it would fit on a US launcher ?

And all that complexity was a waste of time and money because it's going up on a European one. SpaceX Falcon Heavy also has a big fairing. Neither are 7m though.

Capt'n Midnight · 19-12-2019 1:45pm

josip wrote: »

20-25 years in the making for a 5 year life span doesn't seem great to me.
If the helium supply is the only/main limiting factor, could they not have designed it to be topped up by a robotic supply vehicle?

Satellites have weight bearing mounting points to attach themselves to the launcher. The first steps are docking on and using anther vehicle to give a push. The technology of topping up the tanks would be further down the road. Though that's what happens on the ISS on a regular basis.

https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/10/10/successful-proton-launch-deploys-eutelsat-satellite-first-mission-extension-vehicle/

The Mission Extension Vehicle launched Wednesday, manufactured by Northrop Grumman, is the first commercial satellite servicing spacecraft ever built. It will dock with an Intelsat satellite in geostationary orbit and take over propulsion, extending the client satellite’s lifetime.

It would depend how they deal the helium tank. Valves that allow top ups may also leak. Helium is very leaky so punching a hole in a sealed tank is probably not an option.

Don't fear, the SLS can take astronaut that far if a rescue* mission is needed.

It would be much cheaper to use a Falcon Heavy to put some off the shelf Xenon thrusters, for political expediency use Boeing, and an Ariane docking ring into orbit and drag the telescope back to the ISS and do the work there.

*To rescue the SLS project from being cancelled

namloc1980 · 03-06-2020 2:40pm

James Webb looks like it will miss the current March 2021 launch date now. Even by the usual standards where everything to do with spaceflight involves delays, the development of this telescope has been a nightmare.

https://spacenews.com/work-on-jwst-ramps-up-again/

namloc1980 · 17-07-2020 11:54am

https://spacenews.com/nasa-delays-jwst-launch-by-seven-months/

Now the 31st October 2021.

Capt'n Midnight · 18-07-2020 10:32am

https://www.theregister.com/2020/07/17/james_webb_space_telescope_launch_delay/

On top of showing that work has slowed, the review found unspecified “technical challenges” that will take extra time to overcome.

josip · 22-12-2020 3:29pm

And in a crazy year, some things keep chugging along. Slowly.

https://newatlas.com/space/james-webb-telescope-unfolds-tennis-court-sized-sunshield/

Timmaay · 30-12-2020 11:57pm

139 actuators to unfold everything jezzz. No wonder they are a decade behind trying to make that absolutely foolproof.

josip · 27-08-2021 11:26am

Tests completed, completing its PLF for French Guiana right now.

https://newatlas.com/space/james-webb-space-telescope-finish-final-testing/

coylemj · 31-08-2021 5:07pm

Recent update on final testing....

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2021/nasa-s-james-webb-space-telescope-has-completed-testing

JWST mission home page on NASA: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/webb/main/index.html

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NASAWebb

Beeker · 02-09-2021 8:21pm

This has taken so long and cost so much I think a lot of people will have their fingers crossed from launch until first light.

JupiterKid · 07-09-2021 1:47pm

I will believe that the JWST is finally ready when it is actually launched and deploys successfully - whenever that may be.

So many careers in astronomy are literally riding on this mission. Surely there must be some accountability among the mission planners for the extensive delays?

We have been very, very fortunate that NASA has managed to keep Hubble going for as long as it has - now 31 years in orbit.

Cookiemunster · 08-09-2021 3:59pm

December 18th targeted as the launch date.

https://twitter.com/ESA_Webb/status/1435592787123179523

cnocbui · 08-09-2021 4:08pm

The launch vehicle will probably explode on the pad or veer off course and be remote detonated. Seriously, I very much hope this mission succeeds, but at this point it's the James Never telescope.

ricimaki · 16-09-2021 9:49am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117864161#Comment_117864161

You could argue Hubble had an even more troublesome development than Webb (although Webb could still catch up!)

Multiple delays in manufacturing it
Was almost ready to launch, then the Challenger disaster happened
Eventually launched years later, and found to have an issue with its mirror
Fixed a few years later, and has been the most powerful telescope since then

It's taken a long time to get here, but hopefully all of the delays result in another few decades of amazing astronomy discoveries, and some nice desktop backgrounds for all of us.

cnocbui · 16-09-2021 3:13pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117898303#Comment_117898303

The Hubble fiasco was a typical instance of NASA incompetence and arrogance. The millitary offered to check the collimation of the main mirror for them, but NASA refused because they wouldn't be allowed to take part due to obvious secrecy as the capability was part of the Air Force KH-11 spy satellite program, with the Hubble basically being just a a civillian version of it with a few extras bolted on. The checking of the main mirror collimation by NASA's contractor was stuffed up because of some shim washers were left in the device, or were the wrong thickness, or some such.

Quantum Erasure · 01-10-2021 9:23pm

Despite complaints, NASA won't rename James Webb Space Telescope

http://www.space.com/nasa-not-renaming-james-webb-space-telescope?

Critics of Webb claim that he was complicit in discrimination against gay and lesbian NASA employees during his tenure, pointing to incidents such as the 1963 "immoral conduct" firing of Clifford Norton.

maybe we should put a hold on it till we can sort this thing out... :/

in other, not so new, news...

https://www.nature.com/articles/news.2011.385

Amateur historians and astronomers are buzzing with intrigue over allegations that the legendary US astronomer Edwin Hubble, after whom NASA's Hubble Space Telescope is named, may have actively censored the work of a competitor to advance his own career.

Professional historians are demanding further evidence, but advocates of the position are already urging NASA to name a future space mission after the slighted researcher.

Hubble is credited with a discovery that paved the way for modern astronomy. In 1929, he published a paper1 in which he reported on a correlation between the distance of galaxies from Earth and their velocities. Later dubbed Hubble's law, the correlation shows that the further away a galaxy is, the more its light shifts towards the red end of the spectrum. This redshift implies that galaxies are moving away from the Earth, and later astronomers interpreted it as evidence that the Universe seems to be expanding.

But Hubble was not the first to notice this correlation. In 1927, the Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître published a paper in French, which gave a theoretical description of the same relationship2. Lemaître also used data from others to derive the constant governing the expansion, known today has Hubble's constant. "If you wanted to pick one person who probably deserves most credit for [discovering] the expanding Universe, it would be Lemaître," says Robert Smith, a historian of science at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada.

Cookiemunster · 12-10-2021 4:18pm

The JWST has arrived in Guiana.

https://twitter.com/NASAWebb/status/1447944022736187392

Quantum Erasure · 23-11-2021 6:15am

https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/11/an-incident-with-the-james-webb-space-telescope-has-occurred/

The large, space-based telescope's "no earlier than" launch date will slip from December 18 to at least December 22 after an "incident" occurred during processing operations at the launch site in Kourou, French Guiana. That is where the telescope will launch on an Ariane 5 rocket provided by the European Space Agency.

"Technicians were preparing to attach Webb to the launch vehicle adapter, which is used to integrate the observatory with the upper stage of the Ariane 5 rocket," NASA said in a blog post. "A sudden, unplanned release of a clamp band—which secures Webb to the launch vehicle adapter—caused a vibration throughout the observatory."

josip · 23-11-2021 10:22am

"...at least December 2022",

That scope is jinxed, doomed. I'll be dead before it sees light, if it ever does.

cnocbui · 23-11-2021 10:35am

So fancy words for 'they dropped it'?

Akrasia · 23-11-2021 10:39am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118209587#Comment_118209587

Would Not like to be the guy who was supposed to have attached that clamp to the gazillion euro nanometre precision glass mirror

Akrasia · 23-11-2021 10:44am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118209522#Comment_118209522

Just as well, cause I heard from a guy down the pub, that the telescope is actually designed to focus light from the sun onto points on earth in a 21st century version of a space Archimedes ray

PicardWithHair · 23-11-2021 10:47am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117965052#Comment_117965052

Oh ffs!!!

Not woke sh*te here too!!!

Akrasia · 23-11-2021 10:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118209640#Comment_118209640

Don't they know that all of our most revered scientists were absolute dickheads in their personal life (margin for error 5%)

James Webb Space Telescope

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