The Webb Telescope's Unfolding Secondary Mirror
In order to do groundbreaking science, NASA's James Webb Space Telescope must first unpack itself in deep space. In its full configuration, Webb would be too big too fit in any available rocket. So, engineers designed the observatory to fold up to a much smaller size during transport. After Webb Launches, the observatory's delicate parts will unfold and arrange themselves through a series of carefully choreographed steps.
When deployed, the secondary mirror will sit out in front of Webb's 18 primary mirrors, collect their light and focus it into a beam. That beam is then sent down into the tertiary and fine steering mirrors, and finally to Webb's four scientific instruments.
This video shows the flurry of engineers and technicians examining the hinges and movement of the secondary mirror as it deploys. This is one of a final series of tests the Webb Telescope must perform to prove that it is ready to operate in space.
Social Media feature of the James Webb Space Telescope's secondary mirror being deployed inside the cleanroom at Northrop Grumman in Redondo Beach, CA.
Music: Treacherous Path by Giles Robert Lamb Killer Tracks
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Credits
Please give credit for this item to:
NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center
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Producer
- Sophia Roberts (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)
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Videographer
- Sophia Roberts (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)
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Video editor
- Sophia Roberts (Advocates in Manpower Management, Inc.)
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Photographer
- Christopher Gunn (InuTeq, LLC)
Release date
This page was originally published on Tuesday, August 6, 2019.
This page was last updated on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 1:45 PM EDT.