The Webb Telescope’s main mirror is too big to fit into a rocket for launch. Visit ATK in Utah to find out how they are building “wings” to the mirror’s structure so that it can fold up for launch and then unfold in space.
NASA’s presence at the 2013 South by Southwest festival included the full-scale model of the Webb Telescope, a “NASA Social” event, a record-breaking astronomy lesson, and a huge tent filled with activities intended to educate and enlighten visitors of all ages.
A Guinness World Record for the largest astronomy lesson was set alongside the full-scale model of the Webb Telescope at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas. Go behind the scenes of this record-breaking event.
At the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, the full-scale model of the Webb Telescope is a sight to see both during the day and at night. For lighting designer Todd Ward, providing the nighttime lighting for the model is like creating art.
Visitors to the full-size Webb Telescope model at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, can also stop into the NASA Experience Tent to enjoy a range of activities and exhibits about the telescope, infrared light, and the universe that Webb will explore.
The full-size model of the Webb Telescope and a variety of exhibits about Webb come to life in Austin, Texas, in preparation for a three-day residency at the South by Southwest Interactive Festival.
The innovative Webb Telescope comes to Austin, Texas, for the annual South by Southwest festival, famous for showcasing innovations in film, music, and technology.
Webb's tertiary mirror might be smaller than the telescope's primary and secondary mirrors, but it's just as important for corralling light from the universe. Visit Ball Aerospace in Colorado to find out what Webb's tertiary mirror will do and how it is being tested.
Visit the Canadian Space Agency for a look at Webb's Fine Guidance Sensor/Near-Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph. This instrument will help point the telescope and examine the light from distant objects, gleaning information about both stars and extrasolar planets.
The Webb Telescope's mirrors must be coated in an extremely thin layer of gold in order to best reflect infrared light. Find out how engineers coat an entire mirror in only a few grams of gold.
The Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) has two functions: it's both a camera, which takes images, and a spectrograph, which breaks light into colors. Learn why MIRI's dual nature will make it a powerful instrument.
It's time to shake things up. Webb's mirrors undergo vibration testing to simulate the experience of being launched into space. These tests ensure that the mirror segments will survive their trip into orbit without damage.
At Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, a cavernous chamber is being modified for use in testing the Webb Telescope. Environmental testing is part of the myriad of tests Webb must endure to be deemed space-worthy.
Webb's backplane will hold its 18 hexagonal mirror segments in place, allowing them to function as one. Engineers take us through the backplane design process.
Webb's mirrors must be precisely shaped to best capture light and direct it to the telescope's detectors. Watch as the mirrors are ground and polished to the perfect configuration.
Webb's perfectly polished, highly reflective mirrors start their life as a pile of rubble, mined from a desert in Utah. Join "Behind the Webb" as we explore a beryllium mining operation.
Webb's protective sunshield will be folded up inside the rocket that carries it into orbit. Engineers explain the process of unfurling the sunshield from a million miles away.
Webb's mirror, made of 18 individual segments, will be folded up inside the rocket that carries the telescope into orbit. Engineers are constructing the frame at the back of the mirror that will adjust Webb's segments to achieve a single perfect focus.
At Northrop Grumman, engineers are testing the systems that will control Webb from the ground. Because Webb will orbit 940,000 miles (1.5 million km) from Earth, it's vital to ensure perfect long-distance control.
Visitors to the World Science Festival in New York City were greeted by a startling sight: the Webb Space Telescope. The life-sized model of the telescope gave viewers a glimpse at the next big leap for orbiting observatories.
