Another Milestone! Webb Space Telescope Completes First Multi-Instrument Alignment

SciTechDaily.com ^ | 02 April 2022 | NASA

[zeestephen]

The sixth stage of aligning NASA's James Webb Space Telescope's mirrors to its scientific instruments so they will create the most accurate and focused images possible has concluded. While the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) continues its cool down, optics teams have successfully aligned the rest of the observatory's onboard instruments to Webb's mirrors.

[zeestephen]

Upon completing this most recent step, the observatory is now aligned to the Fine Guidance Sensor (FGS), the Near-Infrared Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS), and the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec) as well as NIRCam.

[refermech]

Does this have military implications I wonder?

[Vermont Lt]

Probably not. The earth is probably too close for it to focus.

[zeestephen]

Re: military implications

In its current form - no.

If it faced Earth, the sun would destroy its mirrors, which are chilled close to absolute zero.

However, the concept of a huge unfolding segmented mirror in Earth orbit definitely has military value.

The final price tag would be another issue, of course.

From memory, current spy satellites cost about $1 billion, just 10% of what Webb costs.

[apillar]

Well I got to give them credit, Webb might have been 10 years behind schedule and billions over budget, but they did manage to get it right apparently.

[who_would_fardels_bear]

Just heard about some extra mirrors nuilt for a military project that are neing repurposed for a scientific mission. By government direction, that telescope must never be pointed toward Earth.

[BBB333]

Thanks.

A great link to Webbs latest state/phase:

https://webb.nasa.gov/content/webbLaunch/whereIsWebb.html

[zeestephen]

Thanks for posting the link.

I have been visiting that website on and off since the launch.

It is excellent.

[9422WMR]

Yea what are the doing with that Web Hubble telescope?

[9422WMR]

Yea what are they doing with that Web Hubble telescope?

[PIF]

Yea what are they doing with that Web Hubble telescope?

—
Contrary to some opinions here, they are serving a military purpose - just not the militaries one might imagine they are watching.

When the Chelsea segment is completely aligned, they will be able to conduct covert surveillance on the near-solar system traffic, while watching for incoming objects of unnatural origin.