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> JWST Folding Mirrors

JWST Folding Mirrors

author: NASA/Novapix

reference: e-sou05-90130

Image Size 300 DPI: 33 * 45 cm

In a recent test, NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope fully deployed its primary mirror into the same configuration it will have when in space. In order to perform the groundbreaking science expected of Webb, its primary mirror needs to be so large that it cannot fit inside any rocket available in its fully extended form. Performed in early March 2020, this test involved commanding the spacecraft’s internal systems to fully extend and latch Webb’s iconic 6.5 meter (21 feet 4-inch) primary mirror.

Keywords for this photo:

2020 - ARTIFICIAL SATELLITE - ASTRONOMICAL SATELLITE - ASTRONOMY - HUMAN - INFRARED - JAMES WEBB SPACE TELESCOPE - JWST - MAN - MIRROR - PERSON - SPACE - SPACE CENTER - TEST -