L3harris James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

JWST is a space-based observatory that will provide unprecedented images of the universe’s first stars and galaxies. L3Harris is playing an important role in the assembly, integration and testing of the telescope.

L3HARRIS’ ROLE JWST MISSION DETAILS: As part of the NASA team, L3Harris As the successor to the Hubble Space >> Mission duration is 5-10 years integrated components made by various Telescope, JWST is slated for launch >> Diameter of primary mirror is partners to form the Optical Telescope in 2021 and will take three months to approximately 6.5 meters, Element, which will collect light and travel 1.5 million kilometers (940,000 or 21.3 feet provide sharp images of deep space. miles) to a point in space where it will L3Harris also combined the components be balanced between the gravity of the >> Primary mirror consists of the Integrated Science Instrument Earth and the sun. JWST is a large, of 18 segments Module, which hosts four cameras infrared-optimized telescope designed >> Primary mirror segments are and spectrographs for gathering data. to study the formation of the first stars made of beryllium and coated L3Harris later administered about 100 and galaxies, the evolution of galaxies, with gold days of testing in a cryogenic vacuum the production of elements by stars and chamber at Johnson Space Center to the process of star and planet forma- ensure the telescope elements perform tion. JWST will be located much farther in the harsh environment found in space. from Earth than Hubble and will contain a tennis court-sized sun shade that will keep the telescope cold, which is neces- sary for viewing infrared light. JWST will be packed inside and carried into orbit aboard an Ariane 5 launch vehicle.

JWST in the cryogenic testing chamber at Johnson Space Center. Credit: NASA/Chris Gunne CRYOGENIC TESTING

Chamber isolator units 1

5 Center of curvature 6 optical assembly Auto collimating flats 2 Upper support frame Cryo position metrology 3

Hardpoint/offloader support structure Space vehicle thermal 4 and sunshield simulators 7 8 Deep space edge radiation sink frame

1. CHAMBER ISOLATOR UNITS 5. CENTER OF CURVATURE OPTICAL TELESCOPE DETAILS: ASSEMBLY (COCOA) Provide dynamic isolation from external >> Two and a half times larger in vibration sources to create a near Optical test system used to ensure that diameter, or about six times flight-like disturbance environment. all 18 primary mirror segments can be larger in area than Hubble aligned and work together properly as 2. AUTO COLLIMATING FLATS (ACFS) one large mirror. Multi-wavelength inter- >> 1,000 times more sensitive in the infrared spectrum than Hubble Three, 1.5-meter (60-inch) mirrors ferometer allows the primary mirror to provide the ability to test the end-to- be phased and figure corrected using >> The overall weight of the tele- end performance of the telescope and the flight mirror actuators. scope will be significantly lighter instrument suite. Each flat can be tipped 6. UPPER SUPPORT FRAME (USF) due to ultra-thin, ultra-lightweight and tilted as needed. mirror segments that were unavail- Supports the optical equipment inside 3. CRYO POSITION METROLOGY able when Hubble was built the cryogenic environment. Serves Four state-of-the-art photogrammetry as metrology base for the optical test cameras rotate on windmill-like booms equipment and the flight system. to provide absolute position within the 7. HARDPOINT/OFFLOADER chamber to an accuracy of 0.1 millimeter SUPPORT STRUCTURE (HOSS) (0.004 inch). Absolute distance measurement delivers radius of 9-meter (30-inch) welded stainless steel curvature of primary mirror. support structure that holds the flight JWST telescope and instrument system. 4. SPACE VEHICLE THERMAL

AND SUNSHIELD SIMULATORS 8. DEEP SPACE EDGE RADIATION SINK (DSERS) FRAME Replicates the thermal interfaces between the spacecraft and the telescope. Inner Reproduces deep space radiation sink; sunshade layer provides the thermal required for Thermal Pathfinder. interaction of the flight sunshade.

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