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Hubble successor James Webb Space Telescope is almost ready for launch

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During its final full systems test, technicians powered on all of the James Webb Space Telescope's various electrical components installed on the observatory, and cycled through their planned operations to ensure each was functioning, and communicating with each other.
During its final full systems test, technicians powered on all of the James Webb Space Telescope’s various electrical components installed on the observatory, and cycled through their planned operations to ensure each was functioning, and communicating with each other. NASA/Chris Gunn

NASA’s successor to the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, is inching closer to its launch date.

Last month, final functional performance tests on the telescope were completed in California. This included the comprehensive systems test which ensured that the internal electronics components of the telescope were working correctly. Data from a previous version of this test was compared with data after the launch environment test so that engineers could check that systems would continue to work after the challenging environment of a launch — which involves factors like extreme vibration, acceleration forces, and swings in temperature.

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Another test, called the ground segment test, ensured that the spacecraft will be able to send and receive data from the ground. All four of the telescope’s instruments were able to send data to mission operations via NASA’s Deep Space Network.

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With these tests complete, the telescope is almost ready for its launch in October this year.

“It’s been amazing to witness the level of expertise, commitment, and collaboration across the team during this important milestone,” said Jennifer Love-Pruitt, Northrop Grumman’s electrical vehicle engineering lead on the Webb observatory, in a statement. “It’s definitely a proud moment because we demonstrated Webb’s electrical readiness. The successful completion of this test also means we are ready to move forward toward launch and on-orbit operations.”

The project was delayed for seven months last year due to the pandemic, with work on the telescope having to be suspended when workers at NASA were sent home last March.

“Working in a pandemic environment, of course, is a challenge, and our team has been doing an excellent job working through its nuances. That’s a real positive to highlight, and it’s not just for this test but all of the tests we’ve safely completed leading up to this one,” said Bonnie Seaton, deputy ground segment & operations manager at Goddard. “This recent success is attributable to many months of preparation, the maturity of our systems, procedures, and products, and the proficiency of our team.”

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Georgina Torbet
Georgina Torbet
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Georgina is the Digital Trends space writer, covering human space exploration, planetary science, and cosmology. She…
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