The James Webb Space telescope: observatory status and preparations for launch (Conference Presentation)

Michael W. McElwain; Malcolm B. Niedner; Charles W. Bowers; Randy A. Kimble; Erin C. Smith; Mark Clampin

doi:10.1117/12.2313244

10 July 2018 The James Webb Space telescope: observatory status and preparations for launch (Conference Presentation)

Michael W. McElwain, Malcolm B. Niedner, Charles W. Bowers, Randy A. Kimble, Erin C. Smith, Mark Clampin

Proceedings Volume 10698, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave; 1069802 (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313244
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2018, Austin, Texas, United States

Abstract

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is a NASA flagship mission that will address multiple science themes including our Universe’s first light, the assembly of galaxies, the birth of stars and planetary systems, and planets and the origins of life. The JWST is a large (6.5 m) segmented aperture telescope equipped with near- and mid-infrared instruments (0.6-28 microns), all of which are passively cooled to ~40 K by a 5-layer sunshield while the mid-infrared instrument is actively cooled to 7 K. The JWST will be launched to an L2 orbit aboard a European Space Agency (ESA) supplied Ariane 5 rocket, whose payload volume constraints require that the JWST structure is stowed for launch. The JWST telescope recently completed its cryogenic test program and the sunshield has been fully integrated and deployed. JWST is currently in the final stages of the test program at the Observatory level. The current estimated JWST performance metrics will be presented, such as the image quality, pointing stability, sensitivity, and stray light backgrounds. The JWST development status and future plans will be described for the final testing, launch, and commissioning. JWST is an international project with contributions from NASA, ESA, and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems is the prime contractor for the JWST, and the Space Telescope Science Institute will serve as the science operations center.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Michael W. McElwain, Malcolm B. Niedner, Charles W. Bowers, Randy A. Kimble, Erin C. Smith, and Mark Clampin "The James Webb Space telescope: observatory status and preparations for launch (Conference Presentation)", Proc. SPIE 10698, Space Telescopes and Instrumentation 2018: Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Wave, 1069802 (10 July 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2313244

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KEYWORDS

James Webb Space Telescope

Observatories

Space telescopes

Aerospace engineering

Mid-IR

Telescopes

Galactic astronomy

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