Testbed Will Wring Out Optical System for Next-Generation Space Telescope

[IGBT]

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MIRROR MIRROR The James Webb Space Telescope--an infrared follow-on to the Hubble Space Telescope--won't launch until 2013, but Ball Aerospace & Technologies is accelerating critical work related to focusing the satellite's huge 18-segment, beryllium primary mirror in orbit.



BALL NOW IS ACCELERATING the development of a one-sixth-scale optical testbed designed to reduce technical risks associated with controlling the primary mirror. Those risks must be mitigated prior to a technical review scheduled for January 2007. To that end, a full end-to-end "phasing" of the telescope will be demonstrated via Ball's optical testbed by next September.

The device was built to validate software algorithms and sophisticated hardware on the ground, elevating confidence in the entire optical package prior to launch of the full-scale telescope. Testbed cost is about $6 million--not counting algorithm development--"a relatively small, but incredibly important piece" of Ball's $212-million subcontract, says Mark Bergeland, Ball's JWST program manager.

 

[CycloWizard]

Hehe... After the debaucle with incorrect lens formation for the Hubble, they got wise and stuck with Ball this time around. Good to hear.

The use of adaptive optics in the JW scope should really show us some interesting things that weren't available with the Hubble. Decreasing the effects of optical aberrations using moving mirrors will really help clear up images and show us what is really out there. :thumbsup:

 

[sdifox]

maybe a dumb question, but how are they protecting the optics?

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: sdifox
maybe a dumb question, but how are they protecting the optics?

from what? aliens?

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Bigsm00th

Originally posted by: sdifox
maybe a dumb question, but how are they protecting the optics?

from what? aliens?

err, no, debris travelling at high velocity., radiation, extreme temperatures, etc, etc.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Bigsm00th

Originally posted by: sdifox
maybe a dumb question, but how are they protecting the optics?

from what? aliens?

err, no, debris travelling at high velocity., radiation, extreme temperatures, etc, etc.

apparently the sarcasm went flying over your head i knew what you meant

im pretty sure they track space junk very precisely, dont they?

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Bigsm00th

apparently the sarcasm went flying over your head i knew what you meant

im pretty sure they track space junk very precisely, dont they?

They can't even track meteors reliabliy, forget meterorites. I am talking about small particles travelling at high speed. Most of the satellites are being pelted constantly. They have built in protections but optics sort of have to be exposed.

 

[MrDudeMan]

Originally posted by: sdifox

Originally posted by: Bigsm00th

apparently the sarcasm went flying over your head i knew what you meant

im pretty sure they track space junk very precisely, dont they?

They can't even track meteors reliabliy, forget meterorites. I am talking about small particles travelling at high speed. Most of the satellites are being pelted constantly. They have built in protections but optics sort of have to be exposed.

what do you mean by reliably? thats pretty relative.

well how did the hubble optics stay safe? im sure whatever kept it safe will be used on this new optics system, plus a lot more...i dont see the issue.

 

[sdifox]

Originally posted by: Bigsm00th
what do you mean by reliably? thats pretty relative.

well how did the hubble optics stay safe? im sure whatever kept it safe will be used on this new optics system, plus a lot more...i dont see the issue.

Reliably as in being able to track majority of them with some degree of accuracy. And those are big hunks, I am just talking about small bullets.

I just wanted to know how they are protecting it. Cound't see anything on Hubble site other than thermal protection.