NASA is preparing to launch an innovative telescope into orbit

Experts from the US, it remains only to conduct the final test of efficiency.

Telescope “James Webb” is an infrared Observatory, to replace the orbiting telescope “Hubble”. Composite mirror system includes 18 hexagonal mirrors with a diameter of 6.5 meters (one piece mirror of Hubble is 2.4 meters).

To place the “James Webb” will be available at the Lagrange point L2 of the system Sun — Earth, 1.5 million kilometers from the latter. It is expected that with the new equipment it will collect data about exoplanets, and relic radiation. Providing a telescope will allow to observe 100 objects on the square of three by three arc minutes in high resolution. Its development is ongoing since 1996, the launch is scheduled for 2018.

Previously, NASA conducted a pre-test and told about the first order “James Webb”. July 10, engineers began final testing of the system — she was placed in a thermal vacuum chamber Chamber A on the territory of the Space center Houston. Within the last telescope is located on a steel platform, which hangs on six anti-vibration mountings.

Within ten days, scientists will be pumped from the chamber air and then cooled design up to 37 K (-236 ° C), the second phase will take about a month. The test will last for 100 days; at this time, as the “James Webb” will monitor the temperature sensors. Simulation of the open space necessary for the verification of scientific instruments.

paradox