The James Webb Space Telescope, the Hubble Space Telescope's supposed successor, has inched closer to launch after completing its set of environmental tests.
As NASA's future flagship astrophysics endeavor, the James Webb Space Telescope, or simply "Webb," has shown that it can withstand the harsh conditions it will face as it goes into outer space. According to its press release, NASA has worked together with its international partners to conduct acoustic and sine-vibration tests on the multi-billion space equipment.
ICYMI: #NASAWebb is ready to rumble!
The fully assembled observatory recently completed environmental testing, which simulated the intense and rocky ride Webb will experience while heading to space. Learn what's next: https://t.co/xlFjsjGLSW pic.twitter.com/H1ZmnUAHwr — NASA Webb Telescope (@NASAWebb) October 7, 2020
Testing a Fully Assembled Webb
The environmental tests conducted on the fully-assembled Webb include testing it from the excessive noise and vibration it is expected to face during lift-off. NASA notes that each component was "rigorously tested" during their respective development phases. The final set of environmental tests was intended to demonstrate that the assembled observatory will have the same endurance when subjected to a simulated launch environment.
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Webb's final testing stage was conducted in two separate facilities inside Northrop Grumman's Space Park, located in Redondo Beach, California. Afterward, Webb will be shipped to French Guiana to await its 2021 launch schedule atop an Ariane 5 rocket, courtesy of the European Space Agency.
"The successful completion of our observatory environmental tests represent a monumental milestone in the march to launch," said Webb project manager Bill Ochs in a statement. Ochs is based in the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center situated in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Ochs explains that environmental tests demonstrate the space telescope's ability to "survive the rocket ride to space," which he describes as the "most violent portion" of its space flight.
Specialized Testing Methods for a Specialized Equipment
Testing started by placing the assembled space telescope in a mobile clean room, a specialized contraption designed to keep Webb from external factors. With support from NASA technicians, the telescope inside the cleanroom was taken to an acoustic testing chamber - intentionally blasting the setup with sound pressure levels exceeding 140 decibels to match the Ariane 5 rocket's signature carry it to space.
NASA reported that during this phase, they "carefully observed and recorded" motion data from almost 600 different channels, noting that the size and complexity of the James Webb Space Telescope required more measurement to make sure it would live up to expectations. Ordinary acoustic and vibration tests, according to the space agency, only require about 100 different channels. After reviewing the data, the Hubble Space Telescope's successor was recognized as having successfully completed the test.
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After completing its final acoustic tests, the James Webb Space Telescope was prepared for transport, later taken to another facility that will simulate low-frequency vibrations that usually happen during lift-off. The telescope was placed inside the facility on what NASA described as a "specialized shaker table" that creates controlled vertical and horizontal acceleration.
With these tests completed, Webb will be moving forward to the last full extension of its primary mirror - the critical Optical Telescope Element - before subjecting it into a complete systems evaluation.
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